Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: selective enforcement
The in-presence rule is a principle that allows a police officer to arrest someone without a warrant if they witness a misdemeanor offense happening in their immediate vicinity or if they have probable cause to believe the offense is being committed in their presence. This means that the officer doesn't need to have a warrant to make an arrest for a minor crime if they see it happening or have reason to believe it is happening nearby.
The in-presence rule is a principle that allows a police officer to arrest a person without a warrant if they commit a misdemeanor offense in the officer's immediate vicinity or actual presence. In other words, if a police officer sees someone committing a misdemeanor offense, they can arrest them without a warrant.
For example, if a police officer sees someone shoplifting in a store, they can arrest the person without a warrant because the offense is happening in their presence. However, if the officer hears about the shoplifting after the fact and the suspect is no longer in the store, they would need a warrant to make an arrest.
The in-presence rule is based on the idea that police officers need to be able to act quickly to prevent further harm or danger to the public. By allowing them to make warrantless arrests in certain situations, they can protect the community more effectively.