RESCUE

rescue,n.1. The act or an instance of saving or freeing someone from danger or captivity. 2.

The forcible and unlawful freeing of a person from arrest or imprisonment. — Also termed

rescous. [Cases: Rescue 1. C.J.S. Escape §§ 28–31, 33.]

“A rescue signifies a forcible setting at liberty, against law, of a person duly arrested. It is

necessary, that the rescuer should have knowledge that the person whom he sets at liberty has been

apprehended for a criminal offence, if he be in the custody of a private person; but if he be under

the care of an officer, then he is to take notice of it at his peril.” 1 Joseph Chitty, A Practical

Treatise on the Criminal Law 62 (2d ed. 1826).

1. The forcible retaking by the owner of goods that have been lawfully distrained. — Also

termed rescous. Cf. REPOSSESSION. 4.Int’l law. The retaking of a prize by persons captured with

it, so that the property is legally restored to its original owner. See POSTLIMINIUM(3). —

rescue,vb. [Blacks Law 8^th]