N.C.G.S. § 15A-404 — revision history

Text is never overwritten. Each amendment lands as a new version row with its own effective range.

1. Version 1 — 2026-08-08 to present

   Scraped from ncleg.gov; The General Statutes include changes through S.L. 2026-7.

   (a) No Arrest; Detention Permitted. - No private person may arrest another person except as provided in G.S. 15A-405. A private person may detain another person as provided in this section. (b) When Detention Permitted. - A private person may detain another person when he has probable cause to believe that the person detained has committed in his presence: (1) A felony, (2) A breach of the peace, (3) A crime involving physical injury to another person, or (4) A crime involving theft or destruction of property. (c) Manner of Detention. - The detention must be in a reasonable manner considering the offense involved and the circumstances of the detention. (d) Period of Detention. - The detention may be no longer than the time required for the earliest of the following: (1) The determination that no offense has been committed. (2) Surrender of the person detained to a law-enforcement officer as provided in subsection (e). (e) Surrender to Officer. - A private person who detains another must immediately notify a law-enforcement officer and must, unless he releases the person earlier as required by subsection (d), surrender the person detained to the law-enforcement officer. (1973, c. 1286, s. 1.)