Detainment/Arrest: How is an arrest made when you communicate or cause them to feel they are not free to go?

Detainment/Arrest: How is an arrest made when you communicate or cause them to feel they are not free to go?

• A. You arrest them if you physically take them into custody with force.
• B. You arrest them if you communicate or make them feel they're not free to leave.
• C. You must obtain a warrant signed by a magistrate.
• D. You must observe and report only.

Answer: (B)

Arrest is a seizure of a person by authority, and the key moment is the person’s perception that they are not free to leave and that they must submit to your control. You don’t need to use physical force to complete an arrest; a clear show of authority paired with the person’s submission or inability to leave constitutes an arrest. That’s why communicating your authority and making them feel they’re not free to go is enough to arrest them. Warrants aren’t required for every arrest—lawful arrest can occur with probable cause even without a warrant. Observing or reporting only does not amount to an arrest.

Arrest is a seizure of a person by authority, and the key moment is the person’s perception that they are not free to leave and that they must submit to your control. You don’t need to use physical force to complete an arrest; a clear show of authority paired with the person’s submission or inability to leave constitutes an arrest. That’s why communicating your authority and making them feel they’re not free to go is enough to arrest them.

Warrants aren’t required for every arrest—lawful arrest can occur with probable cause even without a warrant. Observing or reporting only does not amount to an arrest.