Under what circumstances can an officer make an arrest without a warrant?

An officer can make an arrest without a warrant when they observe a felony being committed. This principle is based on the idea that law enforcement has a duty to act immediately to prevent crime and protect public safety. When an officer witnesses a crime occurring, they have the authority to intervene and arrest the suspect on the spot, as it falls under the exigent circumstances that justify warrantless action.

The significance of this situation lies in the immediacy and clarity of the crime being observed, which allows the officer to take necessary action without delay. Warrantless arrests are a crucial part of law enforcement’s ability to respond rapidly to criminal activity, ensuring that offenders can be apprehended before they can escape or cause further harm. In contrast, the other options involve either minor infractions, a lack of clear evidence of a crime, or reliance on personal endorsements, which do not provide the same level of justification for an arrest without a warrant.