Case Name: The People vs. Archibald M'Ardle
Court: Recorder of New York City
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1822-12
Citations: 1 Wheel. Cr. Cas. 101
Docket Number: 
Parties: The People vs. Archibald M’Ardle.
Judges: 
Reporter: Wheeler's Criminal Cases
Volume: 1
Pages: 101–106

Head Matter:
The People vs. Archibald M’Ardle.
if A arrests B °n a.charse of passing upon him a coun Shakes her his house her there™ three quarters offers to lease her she will pay him for the assaúlt 13and battery and onmen^The duty of a cit-case would be to take her to toe^prop^I-authority.
Assault mid Battery.
Archibald M’Ardle was charged with committing a violent assault and battery upon Peter Crawbeck, on the J *• 3 5th of September, 1822.
The prosecutor testified that on the 5th of September, his attention was attracted to the circumstance of an rest made by the defendant on Miss Jemima Johnson and sister. Mrs. Clark, on a charge of passing upon the defendant a $5 counterfeit note. It appeared the defendant saw them pass his store in the Bowery, and followed, and and compelled them to return to his house. They were very much frightened, and cried for help, and denied ever having passed any counterfeit money upon the deThey were, nevertheless, taken into the store of the defendant, where they remained about one hour,
The circumstance excited some attention in the neigh-^0r^00^> and a considerable number of people were gathered before the door: among others was the prosecutor.— defendant offered to let the ladies go if they would pay him for the §5 counterfeit note, which he alleged he had received from them, but told them if they did not he would send for an officer and take them to the police,
Mr. Crawbeck expostulated vyith him, on his treatment of the ladies : he went into the house where they were confined,and some words between himself and the defendant ensued, which resulted in the assault and battery complained of. The prosecutor testified thas the defendant seized him by the throat, and used him violently.
Maxwell, District Attorney,
examined the prosecutor, and before he turned him over to the defendants for cross examination, Wilson asked him a-question in explanation to what he had testified. He was stopped by the Co.urt. They observed the question was irregular, and had often observed it before; but that counsel would break through those rules in regard to examining witnesses so often explained, and so necessary to be enforced.
Sampson and D. Graham,, for the defendant.
They called witnesses to prove that Miss Johnson did pass the bill upon the defendant. For this purpose they called Mr. Petrie, who testified that Miss Johnson came into his store in the Bowery, to purchase a ball of cotton, and offered him a $5 counterfeit note in payment; that she had on a straw bonnet and white spencer: he was certain he could not be mistaken. Miss Johnson was called to the witness’s stand, that her countenance might be more distinctly seen. He presisted that she was the same woman: that he was certain, and could not be mistaken
Mr. Miller was also called. He testified that he. was a store-keeper in the Bowery: that Miss Johnson came into his store and offered him the same note that was after-wards received by the defendant: that he was certain she was the same woman, and was certain it was the same note.
___ This;evidence was introduced to show that the conduct of the defendant to the ladies, did not require the interposition of the prosecutor in their favor, and to show that the prosecutor was the aggressor in coming in the defendant’s house, and interfering as he did.
It was proved bjr a number of respectable witnesses, that Miss Johnson was lately from Middletown, in the State of Connecticut, and was entirely unacquainted with the city: that she had no such dress as described by Petrie and Miller. It was also proved that she was a young woman of good character : and that the witnesses must have been mistaken in the identity of the person of Miss Johnson.

Opinion:
By the Court..
"Any person has a right to arrest a " felon, and bring them before the proper authority. It is, "indeed, the duty of the citizen to do so. But then this " power cannot be trifled with, as it appears to have been " in the present case. The defendant seized Miss Johnson " in company with her sister, Mrs. Clark, by the arm, in " the street, charging her with, a few days before, passing " a counterfeit bill upon him. He took them into his house, " and there confined them for the space of nearly an hour; a telling Miss Johnson if she would pay him in good mon- " ey, the amount he alleged he received from her, he " would let her go, if not, he would send for an officer, and " take her to the Police Office. This mode of proceeding " was clearly irregular. It was the duty of the defendant, " if he believed the woman guilty, to take her immediately " to the proper authority; or if that could not be done, to "secure her in his own house or some other place, until " he could send for an officer, or take her himself. But " in this case it does not appear that public good was his "object, button the contrary, private interest. He offered "to let her go if she would pay him five dollars for the " bad bill. Now, it is certain he had no right to force her " into his house and detain her there for the purpose of receiving five dollars for any consideration.
The jury returned a verdict of guilty.
Note.—The importance of the above case to the public, would seem to warrant an inquiry into the law relating to arrests on a criminal charge, There is, perhaps, no title of criminal jurisprudence less known, and more important to be known, than that relating to arrests. We will inquire,
1st. Who may be arrested.
3d. Who may arrest.
3d. When and where.
4th. The manner of the arrest.
1. Who may be arrested.
It may be laid down as good law that all persons who are able to commit a crime, may be arrested for capital crimes or violent injuries and misdemeanors.
1st. A person may be arrested on suspicion <?f treason, felony, or actual breach, of the peace, without a warrant by a justice of the peace; by the sheriíf; by the coroner ; and by a constable ; 2 Hale, 72—108. Hawk. b. 2. c. 12. 4 Black. Com. 292.
'2d. A person may be arrested by a private citizen, who is present when a felony or actual breach of the peace is committed. 3 Idawlc. 74. Black. Com. . 293. .
3d. In the syllabus of Wallace's Case, City Hall Rec. vol. 4. p. 111. it is said, it is not only the right, but the duty, of every citizen, without a warrant, to use all lawful means in arresting any one committing a breach of the peace.
4th. A married woman may be arrested for any crime for which she can be punished. 2 Leach, 954— 1102. 3 Burr 1681.
S. Who may arrest.
let. Any private citizen may, indeed they are bound to arrest a person for treason, felony,, or actual breach of the peace, without a warrant, if committed in their presence, 4 Black.Com. 292. 1 Hale, 587. 1 East., T. C. 298, City Hall Rec. vol. 4. 111. But • ' they cannot after the affray is over. 11 John Rep. 486.
2d. A private citizen is bound to assist to take a felon or suppress an affray, under the penalty of fine and imprisonment, ibid. Bac. abr. Tresp. D. 3.
3d. A private citizen may arresten probable grounds of suspicion of treason, or felony without a warrant and if it turns out the party arrested was innocent, -he will not'be held liable. 4 Taun, 34. This principle seems to have been doubted. Vide. 11 John • Rep. 486. 1 Binney, 316.
4th. A private citizer/may break open doors in pursuit of a felon, without a warrant, if the felony was committed in his presence. 2 Hale, 77. But he cannot do it on suspicion. 2 Hale, 82.1 Bast, 299—300.
5th. A^private citizen may lay hold of a mad person to prevent the commission of a crime or injury either to the public or to an individual.
6th. Any person may seize another who is on the point of committing a felony or a breach of the peace, Snd hold to prevent a felony or actual breach oi the peace. '
7th. The county may arrest by hue and cry.
3. When and where.
1st, A person may be arrested for treason, felony, or a breach of the peace, either at night or on a Sunday . O , either with or without a warrant. 1 Term, Rep. 2G5. Willes, 459. C'ald. 291—293.
3d.. A felon may be arrested in any place. There is no sanctuary, as formerly, to the criminal. A clergyman may be arrested while performing service in his church. Cro. I. 321. And if a person commits, a felony in one county and escapes into another, he may be arrested and conveyed back to the place-where the offence was committed. 4 Taun. 34.
4. The manner of the arrest.
list; Upon an arrest either with or without a warrant,, the party should be immediately brought to the proper authority. 2 Hale, 219. Fortes. 143. And cannot be detained at the will of the party making the arrest, with the following exceptions ;
He may Be-detained'in the custody, of the person making the arrest.
1» If the arrest is made near., or at the evening, whereby he cannot take the party to-the proper authority.' 2 Hale,. 119.,
2. If he-has good reason to suppose a-rescue will, be attempted. 2 Hale, 120.
3. If the party arrested is sick, and unable to travel; Ibid-.
4. If the arrest is made without warrant, and the charge is-for a> misdemeanor, the officer may let him go, taking his word for his appearance in a reasonable time, at the proper authority. 1 Esp. Rep. 295. 2 New. Rep. 211.