Definitions of civil arrest
the arrest of a defendant in a civil lawsuit. The defendant is then kept in detention until one of the following happens: 1. bail (=a sum of money that a person accused of a crime pays to a court) is paid; 2. the court hearing takes place; 3. any money owed following a judgment is paid.
A civil arrest warrant was issued in 2012 after Mr Thompson failed to attend a court hearing.