What is the definition of false arrest?

The definition of false arrest is accurately captured by the choice that states it involves detaining someone without proper legal justification. In legal terms, false arrest occurs when an individual is confined against their will without a lawful reason, meaning that the person detaining them does not have sufficient grounds to do so under the law. This can include instances where there is neither a warrant for arrest nor probable cause to believe that the individual has committed a crime.

Understanding this definition is crucial because it highlights the balance that law enforcement must maintain between upholding the law and respecting individual rights. Any detention or arrest made without proper justification can lead to legal consequences for the officer or agency involved.

The other choices describe scenarios that do not align with the legal standards for false arrest. Detaining someone with legal justification is lawful, while detaining someone based on personal beliefs lacks the needed legal framework and may still not meet the threshold for false arrest if there is some other underlying legal justification. Lastly, detaining someone in a public space without cause might suggest improper conduct but does not specifically define the absence of legal justification that characterizes false arrest.