Yes, Vigilantism is actually illegal in the United States. But for some reason, you’re confused about it, like in Vigilantism and in Citizens’ arrest, then you should actually deep dive into this topic before you do any such act out in public. Since we have clearly stated that it is an illegal act in the country, that alone should make you stop, but for some reason, if you want to dive deep to resolve all confusion, then just keep on reading.
What Exactly Is Vigilantism?
Okay, we will cut to the chase. A person from the neighborhood, who is not a police officer, and probably a normal citizen, deciding to punish the criminal by himself, without involving the court or the police, is what we call a vigilante.
Such people are usually the result of the angry and dissatisfied crowd who feel that the system is too slow or is not giving them the justice they deserve.
But keep one thing in mind that while all that might look heroic in movies, in real life, it’s almost always illegal. The U.S. has a clear structure for enforcing the law, and that job belongs only to authorized officers, not ordinary citizens like you and me. Let’s understand why that is.
A Quick Look Back at How Vigilantism Started
Vigilante actions in the United States date back to the 18th and 19th centuries, when there was a lack of law enforcement. Locals established their own gangs to battle crime or corruption, as there was an insufficient number of police or courts.
Just for example, in the Regulator Movement in the Carolinas, the deprived farmers protested against the corruption of local officials. In addition, the San Francisco Committee of Vigilance during the Gold Rush, when there was a great deal of crime, was another example. These organizations believed that they were the solution; however, in most cases, they resorted to violence, and their victims were innocent people.
Subsequent to that, events became darker with the period of lynchings, mostly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, that mainly targeted African Americans in the Southern regions of the country. These were horrific, racist killings done under the fake notion of “justice,” but in reality, they were completely illegal.
After that, there have always been different forms of vigilantism, such as border groups, night riders, and, currently, also so-called “real-life superheroes” or “cyber vigilantes.” Regardless of the time, the problem is the same: if someone performs an action outside the law, it is no longer justice.
Vigilantism vs. Citizens’ Arrest: What’s the Difference?
Maybe you are wondering, like, aren’t normal people able to stop a crime? In a way, yes, it is what is called a citizen’s arrest. It signifies that you have the authority to detain a person if you see them commit a crime directly. However, this is the important thing: every state has very detailed regulations regarding this.
The major point of difference? A citizen’s arrest is a legal one. A vigilante act is illegal. If you hurt someone, threaten them, or damage their property, even if it is done with good intentions, you have violated the law. To put it simply, you are not allowed to take the law into your own hands, no matter how justified you may feel at the very moment.
What Do U.S. Laws Say About Vigilantism?
All the states throughout the U.S. share the same opinion that the act of taking the law into your own hands is considered illegal from the very moment that you commit a breach of law while doing it. It’s as straightforward as that.
