§ 186 Arrest defined.

Here's a plain English summary of this rule:

An arrest happens when police take a person into custody so they can answer for a crime. This means the person is no longer free to walk away. They're being held so the legal system can deal with whatever charge they're facing.

This is a basic definition that sets the foundation for other rules about arrests. It tells us that an arrest isn't just about being stopped or questioned by police. It specifically means being taken into custody, which limits a person's freedom of movement.

For someone going through the legal process, this matters because it marks the official starting point of being in police custody. Once this happens, a person has certain rights, like being told why they're being arrested and being brought before a judge within a certain time frame. Knowing when an arrest officially begins helps determine whether police followed the correct legal steps.