What is a "citizen's arrest"?

A citizen's arrest refers to an arrest made by an individual who is not a law enforcement officer but who witnesses a crime being committed. This type of arrest can happen when someone observes an illegal act and, recognizing the need for immediate intervention, takes action to detain the offender until law enforcement arrives.

The legality of a citizen's arrest varies by jurisdiction and is typically subject to specific conditions, such as the requirement that the crime must be a felony or that the individual apprehending the suspect must have witnessed the crime firsthand. This mechanism allows civilians to play an active role in maintaining public safety, albeit with certain limitations to ensure that it does not lead to abuse or unlawful detainment.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately capture the essence of a citizen's arrest. Police conducting arrests involve official law enforcement actions, a formal charge filed by civilians refers to a different legal process, and an arrest by a private investigator does not fall under the same conditions as a citizen's arrest and is not a practice recognized in the same way. Thus, the distinction lies in the immediacy and personal involvement of a civilian in witnessing and responding to a crime as it occurs.