What is required for an arrest?

• A. A Conviction
• B. A Formal Warrant
• C. Reasonable Suspicion
• D. A Confession

Answer: (C)

The essential idea here is what justifies taking someone into custody. For a lawful arrest, the standard is probable cause—that is, enough facts and circumstances to lead a reasonable person to believe the person has committed a crime. A formal arrest warrant can authorize an arrest, but it isn’t required in every situation if probable cause exists and the arrest is justified by law. A conviction cannot precede an arrest, and a confession, while strong evidence of guilt, is not what makes an arrest possible in the first place. Reasonable suspicion, on the other hand, is the lower bar used to justify brief detentions or stops (like a stop-and-frisk) rather than a full arrest. So while it’s noted that the option mentions a justification related to detention, the proper standard for a full arrest is probable cause, not reasonable suspicion.