A citizen's arrest is an arrest made by a private citizen. Because the word citizen now has other connotation today, the word sovereign arrest would be better suited.

Sovereign arrest is a person who is not acting as a sworn law-enforcement official but is acting within common law.

In common law jurisdictions, the practice dates back to medieval England and the English common law, in which sheriffs encouraged ordinary people to help apprehend law breakers.

Today a living breathing man or woman can arrest another person, if they are a witness to a crime and have first-hand knowledge, however if you’re going to do this then be ready to back up your claim with an affidavit, or a declaration of truth within a court of law.

Because the average person has not already sworn an oath to uphold the law the correct procedure would be as follows.

Note: If you arrest someone in this way you are now responsible for the claim.