take the law into one's own hands

take the law into one's own hands  {v. phr.}

Защитить предполагаемые права или наказывать подозреваемого правонарушителя без обращения в суд. — Заезженное выражение.

When the men of the settlement caught the suspected murderer, they took the law into their own hands and hanged him to a tree.

His farm was going to be sold for taxes, but he took the law into his own hands and drove the sheriff away with a shotgun.

Ср.: LAW UNTO ONESELF, TAKE THE BIT IN ONE'S MOUTH.