# Citizens arrest

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/citizens-arrest/247717>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 29, 2004, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/citizens-arrest/247717 "2004-05-29T23:12:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![TJVM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b38774/32.png) [@TJVM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TJVM)\
**Post date:** [June 1, 2004, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/citizens-arrest/247717/21 "2004-06-01T22:23:39Z")

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_Why not misdemeanors?_

Citizens’ arrests are generally pretty restricted because it can be dangerous to have untrained civilians attempting to arrest people. They can easily make mistakes in the heat of the moment (especially if they’re personally involved in the crime) and even if they’re justified, a physical confrontation with a suspect can easily get out of hand. For that reason, the law usually encourages people to call the police rather than take matters into their own hands.

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**Author:** ![Tamarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@Tamarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamarin)\
**Post date:** [June 1, 2004, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/citizens-arrest/247717/22 "2004-06-01T23:17:06Z")

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> [@nocturnal\_tick](#):
>
> Is this the same for over here in the UK, if anyone knows?
> 
> Also:
> 
> So there you are, in a bathrobe on you front porch, “arresting” your neighbour and she’s the crazy one… 😕😛
> 
> I would have loved to see that, and the smile on your face.

I was a little crazy after 3 nights of little to no sleep.

I did have a big smile on my face too. 😃

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**Author:** ![Bill\_H](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a5b964/32.png) [@Bill\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_H)\
**Post date:** [June 2, 2004, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/citizens-arrest/247717/23 "2004-06-02T00:35:43Z")

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**Chairman Pow** wrote

> [@](#):
>
> The difference is whether you get sent to a city jail or county prison.

It’s not defined by where the sentence is served (although jail/prison is technically accurate). It’s defined by the magnitude of the punishment. Typically, a year or more (or death) is a felony. For what it’s worth, your source says this as well.

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**Author:** ![Badge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@Badge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badge)\
**Post date:** [June 2, 2004, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/citizens-arrest/247717/24 "2004-06-02T04:26:37Z")

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> [@Cisco](#):
>
> Did you just type your sig?

Yup. I didn’t want to take the time to change it in my profile.

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