Without Warrant

An officer or private person may arrest without warrant for a criminal offense committed or attempted in his presence. An officer may arrest also without warrant when he has reasonable ground for believing that the person to be arrested has committed a crime.

R. S., ch. 38, sec. 342.

Sec. 348.

Complaint

When complaint has been made that a criminal offense has been committed, it shall be reduced to writing and subscribed and sworn to by the complainant; such complaint shall contain a concise statement of the offense charged, the name of the person accused, and state that the complainant has just and reasonable grounds to believe that the person committed the offense.

Upon this complaint a warrant issues directed to all sheriffs, constables and bailiffs, requiring the person to whom it is directed to take into custody forthwith the person accused and bring him before the court.

Name

Where the name of the defendant is unknown he may be designated by any name, description or circumstances by which he can be identified with reasonable certainty, and, if necessary, may be tried and convicted under such name.

Sec. 350.

Special Officer

The judge may make an order on the warrant authorizing any person to execute the same, and said person then has like powers as a regular officer.

Sec. 351.

Arrest - Imprisonment, Work-House

In actions for the violation of ordinances the first process shall be a summons; provided, however, that a warrant for the arrest of the offender may issue in the first instance upon the affidavit of any person that such ordinance has been violated and that there is reasonable ground to believe the party charged is guilty thereof. Persons upon whom fines have been imposed may be committed to the county jail, house of correction, etc., until such fines have been paid. No imprisonment, however, shall exceed six months for any one offense. The city council has the power to provide that every person so committed shall work at suitable labor not to exceed ten hours each day; they shall be allowed the sum of fifty cents for each day worked to apply on the fines and costs.

R. S., ch. 24, sec. 299.