Under which situation is an officer not permitted to arrest without a warrant?

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Multiple Choice

Under which situation is an officer not permitted to arrest without a warrant?

Arrest without a warrant is allowed when the officer either witnesses the crime, or there are exigent circumstances, or a serious felony is in progress. In traffic cases, especially minor offenses, the officer generally must be present or observe the offense to justify a warrantless arrest. In this scenario, the red-light violation was seen by a credible citizen but the officer did not witness it. Without the officer’s own observation or an immediate exigent factor, a warrantless arrest for a simple traffic violation is not justified. The other options fit common warrantless-arrest exceptions: a DUI in progress the officer is present for; a felony in progress; and a domestic disturbance with imminent danger all justify acting without a warrant due to observation or imminent risk to safety.

Arrest without a warrant is allowed when the officer either witnesses the crime, or there are exigent circumstances, or a serious felony is in progress. In traffic cases, especially minor offenses, the officer generally must be present or observe the offense to justify a warrantless arrest.

In this scenario, the red-light violation was seen by a credible citizen but the officer did not witness it. Without the officer’s own observation or an immediate exigent factor, a warrantless arrest for a simple traffic violation is not justified. The other options fit common warrantless-arrest exceptions: a DUI in progress the officer is present for; a felony in progress; and a domestic disturbance with imminent danger all justify acting without a warrant due to observation or imminent risk to safety.

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