TRESPASS. 93 



offender is likely to escape, no arrest should be made until a report 

 of the trespass, with signed statements from the witnesses, has 

 been sent to the Forester in order that he may give appropriate 

 instructions. 



Any forest officer making an arrest must, as soon as practicable, 

 take the offender before the nearest United States commissioner and 

 thereafter stand ready to carry out any mandate of the commissioner 

 relative to the custody of the prisoner. He will also at once in- 

 form the supervisor within whose jurisdiction the offense was 

 committed. It shall be the duty of each supervisor to promptly 

 inform the district attorney of any such arrest and to render him 

 the fullest assistance in collecting evidence. Each supervisor will 

 also keep the Forester fully informed of each arrest and of further 

 steps in the prosecution. 



When a forest officer makes an arrest he will be reimbursed for 

 the necessary expense incident to such arrest. When such ex- 

 penses are incurred by a forest ranger he will be reimbursed 

 through the supervisor. 



II. CIVIL ACTION. 



IN GENERAL. 



The United States has all the civil rights and reme- 

 dies for trespass possessed by private individuals. 



If any forest officer discovers a trespass he will notify the tres- 

 passer, in the presence of a witness, if possible, to discontinue the 

 trespass, taking care to note the hour, day, and place of notice. 

 He will also report the facts immediately to the supervisor on 

 Form No. 856, and when danger of removal or destruction is immi- 

 nent will seize all material involved in the trespass and, if neces- 

 sary, arrest the offender. 



Supervisors will report all cases of trespass to the Forester, set- 

 ting forth the damage done or threatened, including the actual ex- 

 pense incurred in investigating the trespass. If the offer of settle- 

 ment is not accepted, and the damage seems sufficient to warrant 

 civil suit, the supervisor will be directed by the Forester to 

 place the case in the hands of the United States district attorney. 



