citizen's arrest

noun

Law.

1. an arrest made by a private citizen whose authority derives from the fact of citizenship.

citizen's arrest

noun

1. an arrest carried out by an ordinary member of the public rather than an officer of the law

Word History and Origins

Origin of citizen's arrest¹

First recorded in 1950–55

Example Sentences

The companies I speak to are clear that their staff can restrain somebody they suspect to be a criminal, only in the same way that any member of the public can, a power commonly known as a "citizen's arrest".

From BBC

Under English and Welsh law, a citizen's arrest can only be used for an "indictable" offence - a serious crime tried at the Crown Court.

From BBC

In retrospect, I would’ve cheered, but I feel that might’ve interrupted the uncomfortable silence that fell upon the auditorium, maybe even sparked a citizen’s arrest, considering the scene's subject matter.

From Salon

On 17 April, a group of activists led by radical, far-right MEP Grzegorz Braun came to the hospital, prevented Dr Jagielska from leaving her office and attempted to carry out a citizen's arrest.

From BBC

A police spokesman told Dutch news site AD that people had to be careful making a citizen's arrest as most are "not trained" for such actions.

From BBC