Legal Definitions - parol arrest

Parol Arrest

Parol arrest refers to an arrest made by a law enforcement officer without a previously issued written warrant. This type of arrest typically occurs when an officer directly observes a crime being committed, or has immediate probable cause to believe that a crime has just occurred or is about to occur, and the suspect is present. It allows officers to take immediate action to apprehend individuals in certain circumstances without the delay of obtaining a warrant.

Here are some examples illustrating a parol arrest:

• Example 1: Observed Drunk Driving

  A police officer is on patrol and observes a car swerving erratically across multiple lanes of traffic. The officer pulls the vehicle over and, upon interacting with the driver, notices slurred speech, bloodshot eyes, and the smell of alcohol. Based on these immediate observations, the officer arrests the driver for driving under the influence (DUI) on the spot, without needing to first obtain a written warrant.

  This illustrates a parol arrest because the officer directly witnessed the erratic driving and gathered immediate probable cause of intoxication during the stop, allowing for an arrest without a pre-existing warrant.

• Example 2: Responding to a Burglary in Progress

  Police dispatch receives a 911 call reporting a burglary in progress at a residence, with the caller stating they see someone breaking a window. Officers arrive within minutes and find an individual attempting to climb out of the broken window with a bag of valuables. The officers immediately apprehend and arrest the suspect.

  This is a parol arrest because the officers responded to an active crime, observed the suspect in the act of committing the felony, and made an immediate arrest based on their direct observation and the urgency of the situation, rather than waiting for a warrant.

• Example 3: Public Disorder

  During a public festival, two individuals begin to loudly argue and then physically assault each other in front of a crowd. A nearby police officer witnesses the entire altercation unfold. The officer immediately intervenes, separates the individuals, and arrests both for disorderly conduct and assault.

  This demonstrates a parol arrest because the officer personally observed the entire crime being committed in their presence and took immediate action to stop the offense and apprehend the offenders without a warrant.