Cal. PEN § 837

This is the official text of Cal. PEN § 837, part of California’s Penal Code — defines crimes and sets criminal procedure in California.

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Official statutory text

A private person may arrest another:

1. For a public offense committed or attempted in his presence.

2. When the person arrested has committed a felony, although not in his presence.

3. When a felony has been in fact committed, and he has reasonable cause for believing the person arrested to have committed it.

Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site

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