What is a key benefit of making a felony arrest with a warrant?

Making a felony arrest with a warrant provides a key benefit in terms of legal protection for the officers involved in the arrest. When a warrant is issued, it indicates that a judge or magistrate has determined there is probable cause to believe that a felony has been committed and that the individual named in the warrant is likely to have been involved. This judicial oversight significantly reduces the risk of wrongful arrest claims because the arresting officers can demonstrate that their actions were supported by legal authority.

In contrast, arrests made without a warrant can sometimes lead to claims of unlawful detainment, since the officer must justify their decision based on the circumstances at the time of the arrest. The warrant acts as a shield for law enforcement, upholding the legality of their actions and providing a quantifiable basis that backs the necessity of the arrest. This judicial endorsement not only enhances the credibility of the arresting officers but also strengthens their position if the arrest is later contested in a court of law.