A citizen’s arrest is a legal procedure in which a private citizen takes a person into custody without a warrant. This can only be done if the citizen witnesses a felony or a breach of the peace. Citizen’s arrests are generally only legal if the crime is committed in the citizen’s presence or if the citizen has probable cause to believe that the person committed a felony. Additionally, the citizen must have a reasonable belief that the person they are arresting is the one who committed the crime.
Citizen’s arrests can be an important tool for law enforcement, as they allow private citizens to help apprehend criminals and prevent further crimes from being committed. However, it is important to note that citizen’s arrests can be dangerous, and should only be attempted if the citizen believes they are in imminent danger or if they believe that the person they are arresting is a flight risk.
