Citizens’ Arrest
By David C. Grossack, Constitutional AttorneyCommon Law Copyright � 1994
All Rights Reserved
Not long ago the politically correct Boston Globe noticed a “shocking” new trend. It seems as if some citizens of Massachusetts were so fed up with crime that they have begun to intervene in petty street crime afflicting the streets of our cities. Thieves and pickpockets in Massachusetts should exercise caution in where and how they ply their craft as the chances that vigilantes pummel them and drag them to the nearest cop are definitely on an upswing. While the Globe is shocked at this healthy trend, students of the law should note that both a statutory and common law basis for a certain degree of “vigilante behavior” is well founded. Indeed, in an era of lawlessness it is important that readers be advised as to their lawful right to protect their communities, loved ones and themselves by making lawful citizens’ arrests. The purpose of this essay is to simply explain the law and the historical context of the citizen’s arrest.
First, what is an arrest?
We can thank Black’s Law Dictionary for a good definition: “The apprehending or detaining of a person in order to be forthcoming to answer an alleged or suspected crime.” See Ex parte Sherwood, (29 Tex. App. 334, 15 S.W. 812).
Historically, in Anglo Saxon law in medieval England citizen’s arrests were an important part of community law enforcement. Sheriffs encouraged and relied upon active participation by able bodied persons in the towns and villages of their jurisdiction. From this legacy originated the concept of the posse comitatus which is a part of the United States legal tradition as well as the English. In medieval England, the right of private persons to make arrests was virtually identical to the right of a sheriff and constable to do so. (See Inbau and Thompson, Criminal Procedure, The Foundation Press, Mineola, NY 1974.
A strong argument can be made that the right to make a citizen’s arrest is a constitutionally protected right under the Ninth Amendment as its impact includes the individual’s natural right to self preservation and the defense of the others. Indeed, the laws of citizens arrest appear to be predicated upon the effectiveness of the Second Amendment. Simply put, without firepower, people are less likely going to be able to make a citizen’s arrest. A random sampling of the various states as well as the District of Columbia indicates that a citizen’s arrest is valid when a public offense was committed in the presence of the arresting private citizen or when the arresting private citizen has a reasonable belief that the suspect has committed a felony, whether or not in the presence of the arresting citizen.
In the most crime ridden spot in the country, our nation’s capitol, District of Columbia Law 23- 582(b) reads as follows:
(b) A private person may arrest another -In Tennessee, it has been held that a private citizen has the right to arrest when a felony has been committed and he has reasonable cause to believe that the person arrested committed it. Reasonable grounds will justify the arrest, whether the facts turn out to be sufficient or not. (See Wilson v. State, 79 Tenn. 310 (1833).
(1) who he has probable cause to believe is committing in his presence -(c) Any person making an arrest pursuant to this section shall deliver the person arrested to a law enforcement officer without unreasonable delay. (July 29, 1970, 84 Stat. 630, Pub. L. 91-358, Title II, � 210(a); 1973 Ed., � 23-582; Apr. 30, 1988, D.C. Law 7-104, � 7(e), 35 DCR 147.)
(A) a felony, or(2) in aid of a law enforcement officer or special policeman, or other person authorized by law to make an arrest.
(B) an offense enumerated in section 23-581 (a)(2); or
Contrast this to Massachusetts law, which while permitting a private person to arrest for a felony, permits those acquitted of the felony charge to sue the arresting person for false arrest or false imprisonment. (See Commonwealth v. Harris, 11 Mass. App. 165 (1981))
Kentucky law holds that a person witnessing a felony must take affirmative steps to prevent it, if possible. (See Gill v. Commonwealth, 235 KY 351 (1930.)
Indeed, Kentucky citizens are permitted to kill fleeing felons while making a citizen’s arrest (Kentucky Criminal Code � 37; S 43, �44.)
Utah law permits citizen’s arrest, but explicitly prohibits deadly force. (See Chapter 76-2-403.)
Making citizen’s arrest maliciously or without reasonable basis in belief could lead to civil or criminal penalties. It would obviously be a violation of a suspect’s civil rights to use excessive force, to torture, to hold in unsafe or cruel conditions or to invent a reason to arrest for the ulterior motive of settling a private score.
Civil lawsuits against department stores, police departments, and even cult deprogrammers for false imprisonment are legend. Anybody who makes a citizens arrest should not use more force than is necessary, should not delay in turning the suspect over to the proper authorities, and should never mete out any punishment … unless willing to face the consequences.
As the ability of the powers that be to hold society together and preserve law and order diminishes, citizen’s arrests will undoubtedly be more common as a way to help communities cope with the wrongdoers in out midst.
Check your state law in your area
__________________________________________________________________
Sheriffs Bill of Review Procedure
open a criminal investigation of official corruption in the US federal court
you file an affidavit of the allegation if you have 2 or three more injured parties
put them into the evidence jacket, this will assign a case number and a folder number
grab a number of supenas noes. you need a sheriffs deputy to call the role and verify the list of people.
show up at the time specified
3 notaries and a court recorder from the clerk of the court. a private court recorder.
The summoned people will have a copy of all the affidavits from
all injured parties. a list of questions will be given to all accused
parties. they will have to hand in their answers under penalty of
perjury after reading their answers into the record after they have been
sworn in. and turn in the signed doc to the court recorder. after they
finish they will sign the court recorders transcripts in front of the
three notaries after their recorded answers have been recorded and read
back to them. failure for anyone not showing up is punishable with a
failure to appear contempt fine that is set and noticed on the summons.
these supenas are serviced by the US marshals service. the evidence is
then tuned over to the US district attorney or a private attorney
general who can convene the grand jury.
what is good about this is your
rep can be there you dont have to be you are under witness protection.
you can be in another room watching and listening and in contact with
your rep to cross examine or interrogate the people involved.
This is not legal advice, this is a quote of existing law.
_______________________________________________________________________
MORE ON CITIZEN’S ARRESTS
ALL STATE LAWS ARE DIFFERENT BUT REMEMBER ONLY FELONIES FALL UNDER THE PARAMETER OF CITIZENS ARREST REGARDLESS OF WHAT STATE
http://definitions.uslegal.com/c/citizens-arrest/
And oh yeah In Georgia? Good Luck!
Ok, first in GA there is no such crime as vandalism ( there is a crime involving tombstones that is mentioned as vandalism)Next what do you mean the police can not do anything. Every home in the US is private property, that is where the arrest all of the bad guys. But the owner of that private property has to be the one to press charges.
for example if someone is coming onto your property and marking on the walls of breaking someone, that crime is called “criminal trespass” in GA, it has several levels depending on the dollar value of the damage.. It also involves just the trespass also.
Now in GA for a citizen arrest, you walk up to them and tell them they are under arrest and tell them to stand there untill a police officer arrives. You can not use force to hold them, if you do, you can be charged with assault also.
You can also go into circuit court and file charges against the people yourself, you file the charges, and they are issued an order to appear. You present your case, and if the court decides there is enough evidence, they will be issued a warrant against them.
But if a person is on your property, and doing damage, and you call the police and the police see them doing it, of course they can arrest them.
http://americannationalmilitia.com/2012/07/legalism/
And oh yeah In Georgia? Good Luck!
Ok, first in GA there is no such crime as vandalism ( there is a crime involving tombstones that is mentioned as vandalism)Next what do you mean the police can not do anything. Every home in the US is private property, that is where the arrest all of the bad guys. But the owner of that private property has to be the one to press charges.
for example if someone is coming onto your property and marking on the walls of breaking someone, that crime is called “criminal trespass” in GA, it has several levels depending on the dollar value of the damage.. It also involves just the trespass also.
Now in GA for a citizen arrest, you walk up to them and tell them they are under arrest and tell them to stand there untill a police officer arrives. You can not use force to hold them, if you do, you can be charged with assault also.
You can also go into circuit court and file charges against the people yourself, you file the charges, and they are issued an order to appear. You present your case, and if the court decides there is enough evidence, they will be issued a warrant against them.
But if a person is on your property, and doing damage, and you call the police and the police see them doing it, of course they can arrest them.
http://americannationalmilitia.com/2012/07/legalism/
