A citizen’s arrest is a common law power that gives citizens the authority to arrest someone who they witness committing a crime. However, it is important to note that this power is limited and should only be used in extreme circumstances, as it can be dangerous and lead to legal complications.
In order to make a citizen’s arrest, the citizen must have probable cause to believe that the person they are arresting has committed a felony or is about to commit a felony. The citizen must also make it clear that they are making a citizen’s arrest and that the person they are arresting is not free to leave.
