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What is a citizen's arrest?

A citizen's arrest is an arrest made by a person who is not acting as a sworn law enforcement official.  In common-law jurisdictions, the practice dates back to medieval England and the English common law, when sheriffs encouraged ordinary citizens to help apprehend law breakers.

Despite the practice's name, the arresting person is usually designated as any person with arrest powers, who need not be a citizen of the jurisdiction in which they are acting.

See also Arrest.