What is a capias?

• A. Equivalent of an adult warrant but for a juvenile.
• B. A temporary restraining order.
• C. A traffic citation.
• D. A court order for civil case.

Answer: (A)

A capias is a court writ used to arrest someone so they can be brought before the court, usually because they failed to appear or failed to comply with a court order. In the juvenile system, this functions like an adult arrest warrant—an order to arrest a juvenile to ensure they appear in court. That’s why this option fits best: it describes a mechanism to compel a juvenile’s presence in court, analogous to an adult warrant.

The other items describe different legal tools: a temporary restraining order is a protective order, not a warrant to arrest; a traffic citation is simply a ticket for a violation; a court order for a civil case directs actions in civil litigation but doesn’t authorize arrest to compel appearance.