Which of the following is NOT a condition under which a warrantless arrest is permissible?

A warrantless arrest can occur under several specific conditions that address the immediacy and necessity of law enforcement action. The correct answer highlights a scenario that does not align with those legal standards.

When law enforcement officers witness a misdemeanor, possess probable cause relating to a felony, or are aware of an existing warrant from another agency, they operate within established legal protocols that allow for warrantless arrests. In these cases, either the officer’s direct observation or the existence of sufficient evidence justifies taking immediate action without obtaining a warrant first.

However, believing that a traffic violation has occurred, without being present to witness it, does not grant the officer the legal grounds necessary for a warrantless arrest. Officers must have direct evidence or reason to believe a crime is occurring or has occurred, and the absence of their presence to affirm the violation weakens the justification for immediate arrest. This distinction is crucial, as it maintains the principle that individuals should not be arrested solely based on unverified claims or suspicions without the opportunity for legal recourse.