false arrest

noun

Law.

1. arrest or detention of a person contrary to or unauthorized by law.

Word History and Origins

Origin of false arrest¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

Cervantes’ lawyer, James Quadra, said the Sacramento police had tried to “destroy the reputation of an exemplary member of the state Senate,” and that the department’s “egregious misconduct” includes false arrest, intentional infliction of emotional distress and defamation.

From Los Angeles Times

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday, accuses Habba of false arrest, malicious prosecution, and defamation and says that the attorney “acted as a political operative, outside of any function intimately related to the judicial process.”

From Salon

The Grammy-winning rapper, half of hip-hop duo Run the Jewels, sued a private security firm and its employees for alleged false arrest and imprisonment, assault, battery, negligence and other counts stemming from the 2024 incident at Crypto.com Arena.

From Los Angeles Times

They received a settlement from the City of New York in the amount of $41 million after the Five had sued the City for false arrest and malicious prosecution.

From Slate

Compounding her troubles, five of the six officers charged by Mosby in Gray’s death sued her for malicious false arrest, false imprisonment, and defamation, among other claims.

From Slate