Under what condition may a private person make an arrest for a public offense?

A private person is allowed to make an arrest for a public offense primarily when the offense is committed in their presence. This means that if an individual personally witnesses a crime being committed, they have the legal authority to intervene and detain the offender until law enforcement arrives. This principle is rooted in the concept of citizens' arrests, which recognize the right of individuals to protect themselves and others from criminal acts in real time.

Making an arrest in this context helps to uphold public safety and empowers citizens to take an active role in preventing and addressing crimes as they occur. This provision underscores the importance of immediate action in preventing further harm or loss during a criminal event. In comparison, other conditions like being authorized by a magistrate or witnessing a felony in progress might have specific legal nuances or restrictions, making the requirement of directly observing the offense the most straightforward and universally applicable condition for a private person to make an arrest.