312.0
STPOCPP
CH
CH
Art. 218 Schweizerische Strafprozessordnung (StPO) - Durch Privatpersonen
StPO; 5. Titel: Zwangsmassnahmen; 3. Kapitel: Freiheitsentzug, Untersuchungs- und Sicherheitshaft
Art. 218 StPO · Durch Privatpersonen
Kann polizeiliche Hilfe nicht rechtzeitig erlangt werden, so sind Private berechtigt, eine Person vorläufig festzunehmen, wenn: a. sie diese bei einem Verbrechen oder Vergehen auf frischer Tat ertappt oder unmittelbar nach der Begehung einer solchen Tat angetroffen haben; oder b. die Öffentlichkeit zur Mithilfe bei deren Fahndung aufgefordert worden ist.
Bei der Festnahme dürfen Privatpersonen nur nach Massgabe von Artikel 200 Gewalt anwenden.
Festgenommene Personen sind so rasch als möglich der Polizei zu übergeben.
Gerichtsentscheide zu dieser Bestimmung (18)
51/2003/47 · sh (Art. 218 Abs. 1 StPO)
Suspect Access to Investigation Files Before Questioning
This specific procedural provision governs when the accused is granted access to the files during the investigation.
P/14333/2025 · ge (art. 218 CPP)
Public Prosecutor's Decision Not to Prosecute Upheld in Case Involving Citizen's Arrest After Alleged Theft
The court found that the third parties acted within the prerogatives conferred by this article when attempting to stop the appellant who had committed a flagrant theft.
BK 2024 511 · be (Art. 218 Abs. 1 Bst. a StPO)
Prosecutor's Discontinuation of Coercion and Battery Case Reversed Over Justifiable Error in Self-Defense Context
This provision on private arrest was discussed extensively, influencing the finding that the discontinuation was wrongly ordered.
P/5731/2024 · ge (art. 218 CPP)
Prosecutor's Decision Not to Charge Security Agents Upheld in Citizen's Arrest Injury Case
Used to establish the right of private individuals (security agents) to provisionally arrest and restrain someone caught committing a felony or misdemeanor.
BK 2023 472 · be (Art. 218 StPO)
Reversal of Dismissal in Coercion and Battery Case Due to Procedural Error and Unresolved Issues of Mistake of Fact and Proportionality
The conditions for a private arrest, which depend on this article, were deemed unclear and required further investigation by the public prosecutor.
BK 2023 420 · be (Art. 218 StPO)
Complainant v. Regional Prosecutor (Insults, Threats, Coercion Following Public Altercation)
Discussed in relation to the lawfulness of the coercion (Nötigung) found to be sufficiently likely to warrant continuation of proceedings against Accused 1 to 3.
ARMP.2021.1 · ne (Art. 218 al. 1 let. a CPP)
Prosecutorial Discretion and Self-Defense in Shoplifting Apprehension
This article concerning legitimate retention was mentioned in the reasoning to support the finding that the conduct of X. was justified, but it is not cited in the dispositive.
SB200283 · zh (Art. 218 StPO)
State v. Defendant (Attempted Homicide Acquittal Upheld on Putative Self-Defense Error)
Cited in the reasoning when discussing why the private prosecutor's intervention was not covered by law.
D.cision.2019.532 · vd (Art. 218 al. 1 et 2 CPP)
Appellant v. Prosecutor (Non-Prosecution of Assault/Damage Claim Arising from Citizen's Arrest)
Cited as a ground justifying the lawful arrest and use of force by the private individuals who detained the appellant.
UE170058 · zh (Art. 218 StPO)
Appeal Against Decision Not to Prosecute for Theft and Damage Barred by Limitation Period
Cited in the reasoning to justify the initial detention by the accused based on the violation of a ban on entry, but this citation does not appear in the operative part (dispositive).
GE.2013.0115 · vd (Art. 218 CPP)
Appeal Regarding Discotheque Operating Conditions Rendered Moot by Change in Ownership
Cited in the background analysis (considered in the pilot ruling referenced in the reasoning) regarding the right of private individuals (including security agents) to make a provisional arrest.
P/16974/2012 · ge (art. 218 CPP)
Prosecutor v. Appellant (Attempted Coercion Following Citizen's Arrest for Hit-and-Run)
Cited extensively in the reasoning as the primary basis for assessing the legality of the private citizens' actions (private arrest).
PM/779/2008 · ge (Art. 218G CPP)
Appeal Regarding Restitution and Allocation Following Conviction for Aggravated Breach of Trust
Mentioned in reasoning to contrast the scope of the Public Prosecutor's power for confiscation orders, but not explicitly cited in the dispositive orders for a specific ruling.
60.2007.150 · ti (art. 218 cpv. 2 CPP)
Private Prosecution of Misappropriation of Mortgage Bonds Upheld Over Prosecutor's Dismissal
Although discussed extensively in the reasoning, the dispositive (Order 2) explicitly confirms the decision to deviate from this article based on previous jurisprudence, effectively applying the exception outlined therein.
INC.1997.28603 · ti (art. 218 cpv. 2 CPP)
Appeal Challenging Nullity of Indictment Due to Failure to Rule on Expert Report Clarification
Cited to state that it is not applicable when returning the case file for further investigation.