Ark. Code Ann. § 5-2-611

This is the official text of Ark. Code Ann. § 5-2-611, part of Arkansas’s Code Ann — part of the compiled statutory law of Arkansas, published by the state as "Code Ann." Browse the sections below, each linked to its official government source.

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Use of physical force by private person aiding law enforcement officers

Official statutory text

(a) A person is justified in using nondeadly physical force when and to the extent the person reasonably believes the use of nondeadly physical force is necessary to: (1) Effect the arrest of a person reasonably believed to be committing or to have committed a felony; or (2) Prevent the escape of a person reasonably believed to have committed a felony. (b) A person who has been directed by a law enforcement officer to assist in effecting an arrest or in preventing an escape is justified in using nondeadly physical force when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes the use of nondeadly physical force is necessary to carry out the law enforcement officer's direction. (c) A person who has been directed by a law enforcement officer to assist in effecting an arrest or in preventing an escape is justified in using deadly physical force if the person reasonably believes the use of deadly physical force is necessary to defend himself or herself or a third person from what the person reasonably believes to be the use or imminent use of deadly physical force. Acts 1975, No. 280, § 511; 1977, No. 474, § 2; A.S.A. 1947, § 41-511.

(a) A person is justified in using nondeadly physical force when and to the extent the person reasonably believes the use of nondeadly physical force is necessary to: (1) Effect the arrest of a person reasonably believed to be committing or to have committed a felony; or (2) Prevent the escape of a person reasonably believed to have committed a felony.

(1) Effect the arrest of a person reasonably believed to be committing or to have committed a felony; or

(2) Prevent the escape of a person reasonably believed to have committed a felony.

(b) A person who has been directed by a law enforcement officer to assist in effecting an arrest or in preventing an escape is justified in using nondeadly physical force when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes the use of nondeadly physical force is necessary to carry out the law enforcement officer's direction.

(c) A person who has been directed by a law enforcement officer to assist in effecting an arrest or in preventing an escape is justified in using deadly physical force if the person reasonably believes the use of deadly physical force is necessary to defend himself or herself or a third person from what the person reasonably believes to be the use or imminent use of deadly physical force.

Acts 1975, No. 280, § 511; 1977, No. 474, § 2; A.S.A. 1947, § 41-511.

Status: in_force

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