Which of the following is a requirement for arrest?

The requirement for arrest that is most critical is having probable cause that a crime has been committed. Probable cause means there are sufficient facts and circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe that an individual has committed a crime. This standard is essential because it protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures under the Fourth Amendment.

Without probable cause, an arrest can be deemed unlawful, and any evidence obtained during that arrest may be inadmissible in court. This principle ensures that law enforcement acts based on objective facts rather than mere suspicion or intuition, which could lead to arbitrary detentions or abuses of power.

While suspicion that an individual is fleeing might suggest further investigation is warranted, it does not meet the threshold necessary for an arrest. Similarly, a witness to the crime may strengthen a case, but their testimony alone cannot justify an arrest without the necessary legal foundation of probable cause. Lastly, personal judgment of an officer, while important, cannot substitute for the factual basis required to meet the legal standard of probable cause. Therefore, having that probable cause is indispensable for making a lawful arrest.