Which scenario would support a warrantless felony arrest?

• A. The officer has a search warrant for a separate matter.
• B. There is probable cause to believe a felony occurred.
• C. The suspect is contained in a home without lawfulness.
• D. There is an arrest warrant from another jurisdiction.

Answer: (B)

Warrantless felony arrests are allowed when an officer has probable cause to believe a felony has occurred and that the person to be arrested is the offender. If there is probable cause to believe a felony occurred, an officer may arrest without a warrant in appropriate circumstances.

Having a search warrant for a separate matter does not by itself justify a warrantless arrest, since searches and arrests are separate actions and a warrant for one purpose doesn’t automatically authorize the other. Containing a suspect inside a home without lawful entry typically requires exigent circumstances or a specific warrant to enter for the purpose of arrest; without those, a warrant or consent is generally needed. An arrest warrant from another jurisdiction does not automatically authorize a warrantless arrest in this jurisdiction; extradition procedures or a local warrant are usually required.