Arrest by a Citizen: Difference between revisions

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"Finds committing" requires that the arresting person discover the suspect "in the very act of committing an offence".<ref>
''R v Abel & Corbett'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1vn0r 2008 BCCA 54] (CanLII){{perBCCA|Frankel JA}}{{at|31}}<br>
</ref>
; "indictable offences"
Any reference to "indictable offences" in s. 494 include hybrid offences.<Ref>
''R v Huff'', [http://canlii.ca/t/fp56d 1979 ABCA 234] (CanLII){{perABCA|Laycraft JA}}
</ref>
; Constitutionality
An arrest by a private citizen will still enable the accused's Charter rights as the person is exercising a government function.<ref>
An arrest by a private citizen will still enable the accused's Charter rights as the person is exercising a government function.<ref>
''R v Lerke'' (1986), 49 C.R. (3d) 324, 24 CCC (3d) 129, [http://canlii.ca/t/1nnwz 1986 ABCA 15] (CanLII), (ABCA){{perABCA|Laycraft CJ}}<br>
''R v Lerke'' (1986), 49 C.R. (3d) 324, 24 CCC (3d) 129, [http://canlii.ca/t/1nnwz 1986 ABCA 15] (CanLII), (ABCA){{perABCA|Laycraft CJ}}<br>
Line 31: Line 42:
</ref>
</ref>


"Finds committing" requires that the arresting person discover the suspect "in the very act of committing an offence".<ref>
'''Cf.''': Where the actions of a private citizens are not at the direction of the state, the Charter does not apply to the conduct of persons operating under s. 494.<ref>
''R v Abel & Corbett'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1vn0r 2008 BCCA 54] (CanLII){{perBCCA|Frankel JA}}{{at|31}}<br>
</ref>
 
; Constitutionality
Where the actions of a private citizens are not at the direction of the state, the Charter does not apply to the conduct of persons operating under s. 494.<ref>
''R v Skeir'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1kxs2 2005 NSCA 86] (CanLII){{perNSCA|Fichaud JA}}<Br>
''R v Skeir'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1kxs2 2005 NSCA 86] (CanLII){{perNSCA|Fichaud JA}}<Br>
''R v Buhay'', [2003] 1 SCR 631, [http://canlii.ca/t/1g6p7 2003 SCC 30] (CanLII){{fix}}
''R v Buhay'', [2003] 1 SCR 631, [http://canlii.ca/t/1g6p7 2003 SCC 30] (CanLII){{fix}}

Revision as of 13:49, 31 July 2019

General Principles

See also: Warrantless Arrests
Arrest without warrant by any person

494. (1) Any one may arrest without warrant

(a) a person whom he finds committing an indictable offence; or
(b) a person who, on reasonable grounds, he believes
(i) has committed a criminal offence, and
(ii) is escaping from and freshly pursued by persons who have lawful authority to arrest that person.
Arrest by owner, etc., of property

(2) The owner or a person in lawful possession of property, or a person authorized by the owner or by a person in lawful possession of property, may arrest a person without a warrant if they find them committing a criminal offence on or in relation to that property and

(a) they make the arrest at that time; or
(b) they make the arrest within a reasonable time after the offence is committed and they believe on reasonable grounds that it is not feasible in the circumstances for a peace officer to make the arrest.
Delivery to peace officer

(3) Any one other than a peace officer who arrests a person without warrant shall forthwith deliver the person to a peace officer.

For greater certainty

(4) For greater certainty, a person who is authorized to make an arrest under this section is a person who is authorized by law to do so for the purposes of section 25 [Protection of persons acting under authority].
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 494; 2012, c. 9, s. 3.

[annotation(s) added]


CCC

"Finds committing" requires that the arresting person discover the suspect "in the very act of committing an offence".[1]

"indictable offences"

Any reference to "indictable offences" in s. 494 include hybrid offences.[2]


Constitutionality

An arrest by a private citizen will still enable the accused's Charter rights as the person is exercising a government function.[3]

Cf.: Where the actions of a private citizens are not at the direction of the state, the Charter does not apply to the conduct of persons operating under s. 494.[4]

  1. R v Abel & Corbett, 2008 BCCA 54 (CanLII), per Frankel JA, at para 31
  2. R v Huff, 1979 ABCA 234 (CanLII), per Laycraft JA
  3. R v Lerke (1986), 49 C.R. (3d) 324, 24 CCC (3d) 129, 1986 ABCA 15 (CanLII), (ABCA), per Laycraft CJ
    R v McCowan, 2011 ABPC 79 (CanLII), per Fradsham J
  4. R v Skeir, 2005 NSCA 86 (CanLII), per Fichaud JA
    R v Buhay, [2003] 1 SCR 631, 2003 SCC 30 (CanLII)(complete citation pending)