How To: Make a citizen’s arrest

You see someone doing something illegal and there are no police officers around. Do you have the right to play cop? Here's the lowdown.

You Will Need:

* Restraint
* Common sense

*Warning: Making a citizen's arrest can put you at risk for physical injury and lawsuits. If you witness a crime, the best thing to do is call the authorities.

Step 1: Know the law
Know the law. Citizen's arrest laws vary from state to state. Some states only allow citizen's arrests for felonies.

Step 2: Follow the rules
Follow the same rules as a police officer. That means you must have probable cause that a crime was committed, and you can only use reasonable force to detain the person—though restraining them at all is not advisable.

Step 3: Weigh the circumstances
Weigh the circumstances. Detaining someone who's selling drugs to a child will be viewed quite differently by the courts than handcuffing someone to a traffic sign for not picking up after their dog.

Step 4: Make your move
Tell the alleged wrongdoer, "I am not a police officer, but I'm effecting a citizen's arrest." Instruct them to stay put until the police arrive.
*Tip: If there's time, call the police before you make your move.

Step 5: Proceed with caution
Proceed with caution. If the person resists or flees, let them go and have the authorities take over.
*Tip: Before you take off after someone in hot pursuit, keep in mind that if you chase someone into traffic and a vehicle hits them, you could be hit with attempted murder or manslaughter charges.

Step 6: Pat yourself on the back
As authorities slap the cuffs on the hoodlum you apprehended, give yourself a big pat on the back for making the world just a little bit safer.