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RSA 594:1 · Definitions
594:1 Definitions. – As used in this chapter:
Copy link"Arrest" is the taking of a person into custody in order that he may be forthcoming to answer for the commission of a crime.
Copy link"Felony" is any crime that may be punished by death or imprisonment in the state prison. Other crimes are "misdemeanors."
Copy link"Officer" or "peace officer" is any sheriff or deputy sheriff, mayor or city marshal, constable, police officer or watchman, member of the national guard acting under orders while in active state service ordered by the governor under RSA 110-B:6, certified border patrol agent as defined in RSA 594:26, I, or other person authorized to make arrests in a criminal case. Source. GS 236:1. GL 254:1. PS 250:1. 1941, 163:1. PL 364:1. RL 423:1; 423:20. RSA 594:1. 1965, 98:1, eff. July 17, 1965. 2016, 278:9, eff. Jan. 1, 2017. Arrest
Copy linkSource note
Source. GS 236:1. GL 254:1. PS 250:1. 1941, 163:1. PL 364:1. RL 423:1; 423:20. RSA 594:1. 1965, 98:1, eff. July 17, 1965. 2016, 278:9, eff. Jan. 1, 2017. Arrest
Source history
- 1941, 163:1. PL 364:1. RL 423:1; 423:20. RSA 594:1
- 1965, 98:1, eff. July 17, 1965
- 2016, 278:9, eff. Jan. 1, 2017. Arrest
- GS 236:1. GL 254:1. PS 250:1
Related materials
Bill relationships
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2026 HB1001
reference
stigators within the county attorney's office to which he or she is elected, each of whom shall have statewide law enforcement authority and shall be a peace officer as defined by RSA 594:1, III. Any person appointed to such a position shall be certified or eligible for certification as a police officer pursuant to RSA 106-L:5, V. An investigator appointed under this paragraph shall be removed if he or s
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2026 HB1087
amend · effective 2027-01-01
. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Section; Arrests in Criminal Cases; Citizen's Arrest by Private Person. Amend RSA 594 by inserting after section 10-a the following new section: 594:10-b Citizen’s Arrest by Private Persons. I. A private person may arrest another person: (a) For a felony committed in the arrestor’s presence; (b) For
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2026 HB1087-FN
amend · effective 2027-01-01
. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 1 New Section; Arrests in Criminal Cases; Citizen's Arrest by Private Person. Amend RSA 594 by inserting after section 10-a the following new section: 594:10-b Citizen’s Arrest by Private Persons. I. A private person may arrest another person: (a) For a felony committed in the arrestor’s presence; (b) For
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2026 HB1651
reference · effective 2027-01-01
ess the court has modified the protective order to permit such contact. (b)? A violation of this paragraph may result in a finding of contempt of court. V. Notwithstanding RSA 594:10, any law enforcement officer shall arrest, without a warrant, any person that the officer has probable cause to believe has violated the provisions of this section when the offense occurred within 12 hours, regardless o
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2026 HB1651-FN
reference · effective 2027-01-01
ess the court has modified the protective order to permit such contact. (b)? A violation of this paragraph may result in a finding of contempt of court. V. Notwithstanding RSA 594:10, any law enforcement officer shall arrest, without a warrant, any person that the officer has probable cause to believe has violated the provisions of this section when the offense occurred within 12 hours, regardless o
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2026 HB1696
amend · effective 2027-01-01
to the issuance of a summons instead of arrest. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 75:1 Summons Instead of Arrest. Amend RSA 594:14 to read as follows: 594:14 Summons Instead of Arrest. I. In any case in which a peace officer has probable cause to believe that a person has committed a misdemeanor or violation, the officer may issue to the person
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2026 HB1696-FN
amend · effective 2027-01-01
to the issuance of a summons instead of arrest. Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened: 75:1 Summons Instead of Arrest. Amend RSA 594:14 to read as follows: 594:14 Summons Instead of Arrest. I. In any case in which a peace officer has probable cause to believe that a person has committed a misdemeanor or violation, the officer may issue to the person
Opinions and discipline decisions mentioning this RSA
- 2025 N.H. 43, State v. Rodriguez Supreme Court opinion · September 19, 2025
- 2014-0480, John Farrelly v. City of Concord & a. Supreme Court opinion · December 23, 2015
- 2014-0025, State of New Hampshire v. Alex Ducharme Supreme Court opinion · May 12, 2015
- 2012-510, Osahenrumwen Ojo v. Joseph C. Lorenzo & a. Supreme Court opinion · April 3, 2013
- 2008-347, STATE OF NH v. BERNARD LINDSEY Supreme Court opinion · May 15, 2009
- 2008-372, STATE OF NH v. CHRISTOPHER STEEVES Supreme Court opinion · May 7, 2009
- 2003-273, THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE v. STEPHEN MERRIAM Supreme Court opinion · February 13, 2004