Being Arrested

A Washington officer with probable cause to believe a person committed a felony may arrest without a warrant. For a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor, a warrantless arrest is allowed only when committed in an officer's presence, except in the cases the section lists, among them:

• §RCW 10.31.100

• Probable cause of an offense involving physical harm or threats of harm to a person or property, or taking property.
• Cannabis use or possession, or alcohol by someone under twenty-one.
• Criminal trespass.

• §RCW 10.31.100

An officer must arrest a person who probable cause shows has violated a known domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or vulnerable adult protection order, among other mandatory arrests the section names.

• §RCW 10.31.100