Citizens Arrest in Florida: When Everyday People Can (and Can’t) Make an Arrest
Podcasts > The Attorney Patrick Smith Show
Saturday, September 5, 2026
On this Labor Day weekend edition of The Attorney Patrick Smith Show, Attorney Patrick Smith returns to the host chair after Maddie the Surfer Girl’s highly rated guest-hosting episode and dives deep into the laws of citizens arrest in Florida.
Learn when a private citizen can legally detain someone (felonies with probable cause or misdemeanors that breach the peace witnessed in your presence), the serious risks of false imprisonment, and the important limitations — including the fact that you cannot pull someone over for a civil traffic violation. Patrick also covers Florida’s shopkeeper’s privilege for retail theft and examines real-world examples, from the Ahmaud Arbery case to viral sovereign-citizen attempts to “arrest” judges and officials.
Plus:
- Major update on Flock cameras: Governor DeSantis orders their removal from Florida state highways
- Estate-planning reminders about reviewing old documents and transparent pricing
- Surf’s Up with Maddie covering the Lindsay Clancy mistrial, a college athlete gambling scandal, and a Georgia judge who had an attorney arrested for being late
- Listener calls and the usual studio banter with Isaiah, Spike, and Maddie calling in from her dorm
Practical legal knowledge mixed with the show’s signature humor and real-world stories.
🎙️ Call the show: 1-800-771-1025
📍 Estate planning consultations: 844-PATRICK
Happy Labor Day weekend — stay safe and Go Gators!
#CitizensArrest #FloridaLaw #ShopkeepersPrivilege #FalseImprisonment #FlockCameras #SovereignCitizens #EstatePlanning #AttorneyPatrickSmith #LegalPodcast #LaborDay
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