Citizen's Arrest
What is a
citizen's arrest?
A citizen's
arrest is an arrest made by a person who is not acting as a sworn
law enforcement official. The practice
of making a citizen's arrest dates back to medieval England
and English common law, when sheriffs encouraged ordinary citizens
to help apprehend criminals.
Despite the practice's name, the arresting person
(the person conducting the citizen's arrest) is usually designated
as any person with arrest powers, who need not be a citizen of the
jurisdiction in which they are acting.
Citizen's
arrests are an uncommon practice these days.
See also:
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