What does 'lawful arrest' mean?

'Lawful arrest' refers to the legal custody of an individual based on either a warrant issued by a judge or sufficient probable cause that a crime has occurred or is occurring. This ensures that the arrest is conducted within the confines of the law, protecting the rights of the person being arrested and upholding the integrity of the legal system.

A lawful arrest requires that law enforcement officials either have a warrant, which is an official document granting them authorization to arrest a specific individual, or they must have probable cause, meaning they possess reasonably trustworthy information that leads them to believe that a person has committed, is committing, or will commit a crime. This is foundational to the principle of due process in law enforcement.

The other options do not appropriately define a lawful arrest. An arrest based solely on misunderstanding does not fulfill the legal standards required for a legitimate arrest. An arrest by a civilian without sufficient evidence lacks the legal authority typically granted to law enforcement. Lastly, an arrest under civil process implies a non-criminal procedure, which does not align with the definitions associated with a lawful arrest in criminal contexts.