Powers to ArrestQuestion 15 of 200
A security guard effects a lawful citizen's arrest. The suspect resists. What force standard applies to the private person?
a.Deadly force is automatically authorized once the suspect resists
b.Reasonable force, proportional to the resistance and only that necessary to effect and maintain the arrest
c.No force at all — the guard must release the suspect when resistance begins
d.The same broad use-of-force protections peace officers receive under §835a
Explanation
A private person making a lawful arrest may use reasonable force necessary to effect and maintain the arrest, consistent with §835's restraint authority and common-law tort principles. Deadly force (a) is reserved for extremely narrow circumstances (defense of life) and exposes the guard to grave criminal and civil liability. Releasing on any resistance (c) would defeat arrest authority. The peace-officer use-of-force statute §835a (d) addresses peace officers specifically — its reasonable-force principles inform civil standards but private security does not enjoy peace-officer immunities.
Law Reference: Cal. Penal Code §835; common-law reasonable-force standardPractice all 200 questions free — no signup required.
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