Yeah I know it's a stupid question but I'm stumped .

The Prima guide suggests if you do something with a very small bounty (ie steal something small) the guard should try and arrest you, rather than attack. But in my experience this hasn't been the case. They ALWAYS attack. And as I'm playing a mage, I'm not sure how to yield to them?

I assume that's how you stop them attacking you and you can choose to serve your time?

Just put your weapons away.

In the case of a mage, lower your magically crackling hands.

you have to sheath your weapon. Don't think it works all the time though.

I've tried that and it NEVER works. They just own me because I can't defend myself.

And this is guards I'm referring to, so theoretically they should stop.