(1)  A peace officer, merchant, or merchant’s employee, servant, or agent who causes the detention of a person as provided in Section 77-7-12, or who causes the arrest of a person for theft of goods held or displayed for sale, is not criminally or civilly liable where he has reasonable and probable cause to believe the person detained or arrested committed a theft of goods held or displayed for sale.

Terms Used In Utah Code 77-7-14

  • Arrest: Taking physical custody of a person by lawful authority.
  • Person: means :Utah Code 68-3-12.5
  • Probable cause: A reasonable ground for belief that the offender violated a specific law.
(2)  A peace officer or employee of a library who causes a detention or arrest of a person under 8, is not criminally or civilly liable where he has reasonable and probable cause to believe that the person committed a theft of library materials.

Amended by Chapter 245, 1987 General Session