{"id":48751,"date":"2022-03-23T17:31:07","date_gmt":"2022-03-23T21:31:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ciccarellilawoffices.kinsta.cloud\/arizona\/?p=48751"},"modified":"2022-03-23T17:31:07","modified_gmt":"2022-03-23T21:31:07","slug":"making-a-citizens-arrest-in-arizona-all-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ciccarelli.com\/arizona\/making-a-citizens-arrest-in-arizona-all-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Making a Citizen\u2019s Arrest in Arizona: All You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you witnessed a crime? Were you tempted to stop the perpetrator yourself? While Arizona law allows you to make a citizen\u2019s arrest, it\u2019s important to know the specific types of crimes so you don\u2019t risk prosecution. If you do find yourself facing charges for trying to help, you\u2019ll need an experienced Arizona criminal defense lawyer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Avoid possible jail time and keep yourself safe from physical harm by understanding when a citizen\u2019s arrest is allowed, when it should be avoided, and what to do if you are charged with a crime following your attempt to help others.<\/span><\/p>\n

Did You Make a Citizen\u2019s Arrest or Did You Commit Assault?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Let us suppose you\u2019re passing a coffee shop where folks are outside working remotely. Suddenly, you hear, \u201cStop! They stole my laptop!\u201d You turn and see someone running away with a computer. You used to run track in school, so it\u2019s easy for you to dash after the thief and tackle them. Citizen\u2019s arrest, all neat and tidy, right? Possibly. Or you could be charged with assault by the person with the laptop!<\/span><\/p>\n

The truth is, if you violate the law to stop a crime, you\u2019ll need to prove to a jury that it was reasonable<\/span> for you to do so. The alleged thief may file criminal charges against you for any injuries, and a court will decide if the citizen\u2019s arrest was reasonable. Things can get worse if you use a firearm or knife during the arrest, which can result in a charge of aggravated assault or assault with a deadly weapon for you. Even worse, you risk your own physical safety if the person disarms you or has a weapon of their own.<\/span><\/p>\n

One more thought: what if the person you stopped wasn\u2019t a thief? You may have tackled someone in a hurry to get to work, if you didn\u2019t see the theft occur.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What Crimes Can You Make a Citizens Arrest for in Arizona?<\/span><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s important to know which crimes are allowed for a citizen\u2019s arrest and which are not. <\/span>Arizona law 13-3884<\/span><\/a> states that you may make a citizen\u2019s arrest when you witness the following crimes:<\/span><\/p>\n