We’ve all seen those mall jail cells in TV shows and in movies like “Paul Blart: Mall Cop.” But what exactly are the legal rights of security guards in malls and stores to detain you in those mall jails?
Legal Authority of Security Guards
Generally speaking, private security guards do not have the same authority as police officers. A security company is not a law enforcement agency. Other than assisting in medical emergencies and breaches of the peace, they basically have the same rights to act on crime as the average private citizen.
