{"id":352250,"date":"2023-08-15T16:56:47","date_gmt":"2023-08-15T21:56:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/citizen-s-arrest.html"},"modified":"2023-08-15T16:56:47","modified_gmt":"2023-08-15T21:56:47","slug":"citizen-s-arrest","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/citizen-s-arrest.html","title":{"rendered":"Citizen’s Arrest"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Citizen's Arrest<\/h1>\n
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\n By Sarah Williams, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Arrests by private citizens are subject to fewer constitutional requirements than an arrest by law enforcement officers. But there are still rules that apply. Failure to abide by these rules can result in civil and criminal liability for the individual conducting the arrest.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

In certain situations, a private person can make an arrest without a warrant<\/a>. These "citizens’ arrests<\/a>" occur when ordinary people either detain criminals or direct police officers to detain a criminal. All states permit some form of citizen’s arrest in their criminal procedures.<\/p>\n

Yet, a citizen’s arrest can carry risk. If you are accused of an improper arrest, you could be liable for civil claims or criminal charges. This scenario may lead you to need a criminal defense lawyer<\/a> of your own.<\/p>\n

When Can a Private Citizen Arrest Someone?<\/h2>\n

States vary on citizen’s arrest law and the types of crime for which a person can conduct a citizen’s arrest. Generally, private citizens can arrest someone they reasonably suspect of committing a felony.<\/a><\/p>\n

The felony doesn’t have to occur in the presence of the individual making the arrest. They can still conduct a citizen’s arrest if:<\/p>\n