Flagrante

Flagrante is a term of Latin origin used in legal contexts to describe someone who is caught committing a crime or immediately after its commission. The most common expression is in flagrante delicto, meaning “caught in the act” of a crime.

Etymology and usage variants: Flagrante derives from Latin flagrare, meaning to burn, and the phrase conveys immediacy and guilt in the moment of detection. In many languages the term appears in a form such as “em flagrante delito” (Portuguese), “en flagrante delito” (Spanish), or “en flagrant délit” (French). In English, the standard formulation is “in flagrante delicto.”

Legal significance: Being detected in flagrante delicto often alters the legal mechanics of arrest and evidence. In many jurisdictions, authorities may arrest without a warrant, seize related evidence, and conduct rapid investigations when a crime is being committed or immediately before the offender is captured. The exact criteria—such as the act being ongoing, the offender’s proximity to the scene, or possession of stolen property—vary by jurisdiction. Admissibility of evidence obtained in flagrante situations is subject to procedural rules and may be more favorable to the state or, in some systems, to protect the defendant’s rights.

Multinational usage: The concept is widely recognized in civil law and common law systems, though the precise requirements and procedures differ. The phrase remains a standard shorthand in legal parlance to indicate that a crime was or is being committed at the moment of detection.