citizen's arrest

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citizen's arrest

an apprehending of a person by a member of the public. It is assumed in the UK that a private citizen (including a police constable) may arrest another without warrant if the citizen has witnessed the commission of a serious crime. Any force used must be reasonable (or in certain limited circumstances where there has been no unlawful conduct but there is a real threat of a breach of the peace interfering with the rights of another that would involve unreasonable violence).

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References in periodicals archive ?

The LAPD supporter, Joni Lyman of North Hollywood, placed the man, identified as Christian Smith, under citizens arrest.

SUPPORTERS SAY THANKS; POLICE, FIRE OFFICIALS PRAISED FOR BANK SHOOTOUT RESPONSE

The website also offers advice for those who have not carried out a citizens arrest in the past.

Website offering reward for Tony Blair's arrest raises 9,000 pounds in two days

Supreme Court, claiming Ventura County Sheriff's Department deputies falsely arrested and incarcerated him after a resident made a citizens arrest of Williams over a property dispute, attorneys said.

SERIAL LITIGANT LOSES APPEAL TO SUPREME COURT

I wanted to keep up the pressure in terms of people conducting citizens arrests [on Mr Blair] around the world," Grundy added, claiming that the attempted arrest was supported by Hong Kong law and based on alleged violations of the Nuremburg Principles, the UN Charter and the Geneva Convention.