Kentucky Private Investigator Practice Test

What is a condition under which private citizens are allowed to arrest individuals?

1. Only during daylight hours

2. When they suspect the person of a minor offense

3. When they believe a felony has been committed and have probable cause

4. During an emergency situation only

The correct answer is: When they believe a felony has been committed and have probable cause

Private citizens are generally allowed to make arrests under specific circumstances, particularly when they have a reasonable belief that a felony has occurred. This is often referred to as a citizen's arrest. The fundamental requirement for this type of arrest is that the individual must have probable cause to believe that a felony has been committed and that the person they are detaining is the suspect. This legal principle ensures that citizens act responsibly and have a justifiable basis for the arrest, helping to prevent wrongful detentions. In many jurisdictions, this legal allowance is in place to enable citizens to intervene in serious situations where immediate action is necessary, particularly when law enforcement may not be available or able to respond promptly. The emphasis on probable cause serves to protect both the rights of individuals and the integrity of the legal process. The other options, such as limiting arrests to daylight hours or requiring a suspicion of minor offenses, do not align with the legal standards typically applied to citizen arrests, which is based on the nature of the suspected crime rather than the time of day or the severity of the offense.