Walk It Through: The Arrest Downtown
A misdemeanor in front of an officer, a citation or an arrest, a phone taken, questions, and release.
An officer sees a man commit a misdemeanor downtown. He lives nearby and gives his name and address.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
A misdemeanor arrest downtown. A felony, questioning without the warnings, a use of force claim, and the trial itself are left to other pages.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- Citation instead of arrestFor a misdemeanor committed in an officer's presence, a written charge given instead of an arrest when there are reasonable grounds to believe the person will appear.
- Class A misdemeanorThe higher class of misdemeanor, punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $500.
- Physical injurySubstantial physical pain or any impairment of physical condition.