Reply #10: Or in California....

[Piewhacket]

I agree this story is amusing, and the "about time" remark is a definite 'keeper'
for my file.

I've also heard that Rove is suppose to speak in Sacramento on Sept 19 on 14th
and J Street. I've seen posts indicating some advocate a welcoming party.

Yet I remind, the judge's amusing retort aside,
It is a serious matter to 'falsely arrest' someone, and has serious consequences.
It is not something to be done by those are obedient to the rule of law.

However, similar to Iowa, citizen's arrrests are also permitted in California.
California law (CA Penal Code 837) permits a private person to 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.

In effecting the arrest the person making an arrest may orally summon
as many persons as he deems necessary to aid him therein. (CA Penal Code 839)

see also http://oldweb.uwp.edu/academic/criminal.justice/citarr.htm

It is my belief that the offense must be a violation of CA STATE LAW for
the arrest to be proper under the above law (but I could be wrong).

So this is all fun and all. But we should remember what my ancestor Squire Boone's
favorite son Daniel woulda said.... "Be sure you're right, THEN go ahead."