Arrest, in law, taking a person into custody for the purpose of bringing that person before a court to answer a criminal charge. A police officer may make a lawful arrest when acting under the authority of a warrant issued by a court naming a person or persons to be arrested. A police officer may also arrest a person if that person commits a crime in the officer's presence, or if the officer has reasonable grounds to believe the person has committed a crime. Force may be used if necessary to detain the suspect; however, deadly force may be used only in self-defense or to protect others.
A private citizen has the right to make a citizen's arrest if the person he arrests commits a crime in his presence or if he has reasonable grounds to believe that the person he arrests has committed a crime.