When can you arrest someone without a warrant?

Arresting someone without a warrant is fundamentally based on the concept of probable cause. Probable cause exists when law enforcement officers have reasonable grounds to believe that a person has committed a crime or is about to commit one. This standard is crucial because it protects individuals from unreasonable seizure and upholds the Fourth Amendment rights of citizens.

In practice, if an officer witnesses a crime occur, they certainly have probable cause to make an arrest without a warrant. However, the option "when a crime is witnessed" is a specific scenario under the broader umbrella of probable cause. Thus, while witnessing a crime can lead to an arrest, the essential legal principle at play is still probability of cause.

While personal suspicion might seem like a valid basis for making an arrest, it is not sufficient on its own. Law enforcement must have specific, articulable facts that would lead a reasonable officer to believe that an individual is involved in criminal activity rather than relying solely on a hunch or vague feeling.

During a traffic stop, an officer might have the grounds to arrest someone based on observations and circumstances that arise during the stop. Yet again, this situation relies on the concept of probable cause as the underpinning legal standard for the arrest.

Therefore, referencing probable cause encompasses the broader