How to go about a citizens arrest?

Question

I have just about had it with some people in my neighborhood...The crime involves drugs and the police never seem to get lucky enough to catch them in the act....How does a citizens arrest work? Can I arm myself and confront them?

Answer 1

The law varies widely from state to state, but in most cases, a citizens arrest is only allowable under special circumstances, and could result in your own arrest, and since your question involves drug dealers, could also be very dangerous. I would advise against using a firearm in any case.
My advice: Forget it. Leave law enforcement up to the police or you may find yourself on the wrong side of the law along with the drug dealers.

Answer 2

You need proof of a crime being committed for one.
So video AND witnesses of the actual drugs being sold.
Best would be to have your own undercover sting where someone plants one of those tiny cameras somewhere clever.

you must be able to prove the drugs they sold you were the drugs you exchanged for money and you will need undisputable evidence on who sold you the drugs -- otherwise what youll have is an attorney arguing that for whatever reasoning you could have switched out the white powder yourself.

Then -- the flip side of a citizens arrest-- LIABILITy will kick into place. you can be sued for false detainment -- and if you have a firearm with you, for showing it to another person for the wrong reasons. thats a criminal offense against you if you show a loaded weapon to someone else -- even just brandishing a weapon to another person is a crime.

Now, as for the practical concern.
Unless you live in a white would be drug dealer neighborhood where the kids are would be hack gangster wannabe's then you must know most drug dealers work in teams.
One stands look out for the fuzz "cops, 5-0, whatever theyre called now"
Another or a few have guns with them already.

you go say "Citizens arrest" you better have all the guns covered, and be prepared to shoot someone in the back if they run -- Which brings up another issue.
There are times when you can and cant shoot someone.

Under this law, you are not a police officer.
Gun laws usually are for the safety oflife or property, of that of yourself and others, and our gun laws support that.

You go out and shoot some drug dealers, makes you look like a vigilante.
Believe it or not, police and lawyers dont like vigilantes.
So youre already starting out in the whole just by trying to use a gun to stop delaers in your neighborhood.

2) instances come to mnd.
FIRST, wat if you draw your gun, and someone or more than one resists. You will have to shoot.

any lawyer will argue, why you were brandishing a weapon in the first place. Now you will be brought up on mnslaughter charges if the person dies.

What if the person runs away?
You CANT Shoot a person in the back.
Legally that means they were no longer a threat to your person by turnign their back to you - which means you were in the wrong.

Our laws are set up in such a way as to make it harder to catch these idiots. Its sad, but true.
So as much as it seems a good idea to join the fight, get your own gun and take these delers down, the reality is a gamble.
A gamble that you are placing future jail time, and a civil lawsuit for hundreds of thousands against you.

Its not worth that gamble to me.

Best is to take photos.
Set up a sting yourself.
And hope that works.

Because this doesnt even bring into account what would happen to you when drug dealers find out who set them up?
Street dealers are easily replaced. Its the networks you would need to really go after to stop the distribution, unless its an isolated meth lab working on its own.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do.
Sometime it seems the only logical thing to do is shoot these guys downright.
but thats only in a perfect world with no liability and no lawyers

Answer 3

There is really no such thing as a citizens arrest anymore. if you were to go in there with weapons you would be the offender. my advice is keep calling the cops. they will haft to do something eventually

Answer 4

get a camcorder but dont let anyone see you taping them!! or a security camera.. you can get them for 30 bucks,wellworth it!!

Answer 5

call the cops for the way to do it first.