Legal Definitions - head money

Definition: Head money refers to:

1. A tax on people belonging to a specific group, also known as a poll tax.
2. A reward offered by the government to the crew of a ship for capturing a prisoner during a naval battle.
3. A tax imposed on ship owners for every immigrant brought into the United States.
4. A bounty or reward paid to a person who killed an outlaw and produced their head as evidence.

Examples:

• During the 19th century, the United States government imposed a head tax on ship owners for every immigrant brought into the country.
• In the past, some governments offered head money to encourage people to capture and bring in outlaws.
• During a naval battle, if a ship's crew captures a prisoner, they may receive head money as a reward.

The examples illustrate how head money can be used as a tax, a reward, or a bounty. It can be imposed on specific groups of people or ship owners, or offered as a reward for capturing prisoners or outlaws.