Which statement about arrests with warrants is true?

• A. Arrest with a warrant requires immediate permission from a judge.
• B. Warrants must be shown to the arrestee before arrest.
• C. An arrest with a warrant is lawful even if the officer does not possess the warrant at the time of the arrest.
• D. Warrants never require notice.

Answer: (C)

Arrests under a warrant are powered by a court order that names the person and the charge. That order exists independently of the officer’s hands-on possession at the moment of arrest. So, the arrest can be lawful even if the officer doesn’t have the warrant with them when they seize the suspect; the warrant has already authorized the action. What matters is that the warrant was properly issued and remains valid, and that the officer follows procedure to notify the arrestee about the warrant and charges as soon as practicable after the arrest. The other statements miss important aspects: there is no need for the officer to obtain immediate permission from a judge at the moment of arrest, and while officers should show the warrant to the arrestee when feasible, it is not a prerequisite to making the arrest. Warrants also require notice, at least after arrest, so the claim that notice is never required isn’t correct.