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

He pointed to the responding police officer's notes, which had described the incident as a lawful citizen's arrest.

From BBC

However his lawyers argued Mr Radelic had made a "lawful" citizen's arrest.

From BBC

Thomas’ daughter’s case became news when Thomas posed as his daughter in a series of messages with the sexual predator, set up a meeting with him at a park in Clovis and captured him in a citizen’s arrest.

From Los Angeles Times

Thomas posted his citizen’s arrest on Facebook and police arrested Rabson that day.

From Los Angeles Times

Two weeks ago during a live interview on Fox News with Sean Hannity, Curtis Sliwa and a bunch of his Guardian Angels tackled a man on a New York City street and made what amounted to a citizen’s arrest, accusing him of being “a migrant guy” who was guilty of shoplifting.

From Salon