What is required for an arrest without a warrant?

An arrest without a warrant requires probable cause to be considered lawful. Probable cause arises when law enforcement officers have sufficient knowledge or evidence that a crime has been committed, or that a specific individual has committed a crime. This standard protects individuals from unlawful arrests and ensures that officers act based on reliable information rather than assumptions or biases.

For an arrest to be made without a warrant, the officer must personally observe the circumstances or have credible information that would lead a reasonable person to believe that a crime is being or has been committed by the individual in question. This requirement helps maintain the balance between enforcing the law and protecting individual rights.

Having a witness, obtaining consent from the public, or relying on a court order are not necessary conditions for making a warrantless arrest, as the critical factor is the existence of probable cause.