What is a 'citizens arrest'?

Question

What is a 'citizens arrest'?

Answer 1

According to Collins Dictionary of Law, a citizens arrest is-

An apprehending of a person by a member of the public.  it is assumed in the UK that a private citizen may arrest another without warant if the citizen has witnessed the commission of a SERIOUS crime.  Any force used must be reasonable and neccessary.

Answer 2

Hello Joe. I will give you a slightly different perspective of this. A citizen's arrest is the detention of a person by another person who is not affiliated with law enforcement and held until proper authorities can arrest.

The problem in a citizen's arrest is that the person who is doing the detaining is subject to various criminal and civil charges by the person who is being detained. Not to mention if any force is used or applied, then more charges can be levied.

A citizen's arrest carries no authority within itself.

I hope this helps and you can find it useful

Answer 3

An arrest made by a citizen that is not a sworn law enforcement official.

Link:  http://www.constitution.org/grossack/arr...

Answer 4

A citizen has arrest powers only in certain circumstances.

you must see the crime from start to finish and you have no power of investigation.

It is the same as a loss prevention officer at the local department store - in order to make an arrest for retail theft, they must see the item removed and taken past the last point to pay prior to apprehension.