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An outlaw is someone who lives outside the law and may be denied legal rights. The term originates from a Norse word meaning “bandit” and historically, outlaws could have their property confiscated and be prosecuted and killed without legal repercussions. Populist figures like Robin Hood arose due to objections to the common law. Today, the term refers to those on the run from a crime, habitual offenders, or those who engage in civil disobedience. Legal protections for outlaws may be limited, and they may be prosecuted by bounty hunters who catch criminals in exchange for financial compensation.
An outlaw is an individual who lives outside the law. Typically, he or she is wanted for pending crimes, and the decision to live as an outlaw rather than undergo trial and conviction can mean that the outlaw may be denied certain legal rights. In many cultures, a mythic lore surrounds outlaws, and in some cases these criminals can even become populist heroes celebrated in legends and stories.
The origins of the word “outlaw” lie in a Norse word meaning “bandit.” Historically, someone could be convicted of a “Writ of Outlawry” in English common law, which meant that the outlaw confiscated their property from the Crown due to criminal activity. Additionally, the Writ allowed people to prosecute and kill the outlaw without the potential for legal repercussions, acting as a form of death sentence.
Populist figures such as Robin Hood arose in the medieval period because many people objected to the sometimes brutal nature of the common law. These folk heroes who stole from the wealthy and landed members of society were celebrated even if they did not redistribute themselves to the poor, and the Crown tended to treat them very harshly if caught, to set an example for would-be followers. The Writ of Outlaw no longer exists today, but it has clearly left a legacy behind it, as evidenced by the esteemed status of many real and fictional outlaws.
Today the term “outlaw” is used in many different ways. In the former case, it can refer to someone who is on the run from a single crime, such as a bank robbery or murder. In other cases, it refers to habitual offenders who have managed to evade justice despite having committed a series of crimes. The term is also used to discuss individuals who have broken the law in a way that advocates deem right and proper, such as someone who engages in civil disobedience.
Legal protections for outlaws may be limited, depending on the legal system violated by the outlaw. In many nations, outlaws can be prosecuted by bounty hunters who catch criminals in exchange for financial compensation, and while bounty hunters are obligated to stay within the law, they can go to any lengths to acquire their targets. Once arrested, an outlaw may be denied bail and other privileges, with the argument that the individual poses a flight risk.
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