This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD. Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. He received his JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the University of Oregon in 2013. This article has been viewed 945,071 times.

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If you’re unsure about when you can make a citizen’s arrest, check the laws in your local area, because the definition of a citizen's arrest and when you can make one varies from state to state. Detain someone if you witness them committing a felony, like murder, theft of more than $500 worth of property, rape, or a hit-and-run. Before you attempt the arrest, make sure you’re aware of your physical abilities and that you can actually detain the person, since your intervention may escalate the situation and make things worse if you can’t. When you detain them, tell them you're making a citizen's arrest. Then, use reasonable force to detain them until law enforcement arrives. For tips from our Legal co-author on how to perform a citizen’s arrest, keep reading!