2010 Arkansas Code
Title 5 - Criminal Offenses
Subtitle 1 - General Provisions
Chapter 2 - Principles of Criminal Liability
Subchapter 6 - Justification
§ 5-2-611 - Use of physical force by private person aiding law enforcement officers.

5-2-611. Use of physical force by private person aiding law enforcement officers.

(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.