Arrest

Arrest, taking into custody of a person believed to have committed a crime. Most often an arrest is made by police or other law-enforcing officer on the strength of a warrant issued by a court and supported by evidence indicating that the named person or persons have probably committed a crime. As a general rule, and in most states, arrests may be made without a warrant only when the arresting officer has evidence that a felony (serious crime) has been committed; and on the basis of suspicious behavior, even when there is no evidence of an actual felony. A private person may sometimes make a “citizen's arrest” for a crime he or she sees committed.