Which statement best distinguishes an arrest from a citation?

• A. An arrest is a detention supported by probable cause; a citation is a notice to appear in court for a minor offense when allowed by policy and statute.
• B. An arrest requires a warrant in every case.
• C. A citation involves taking someone into custody for a long period.
• D. An arrest can never be handled without formal charges first.

Answer: (A)

Arresting someone means taking them into custody based on probable cause, which justifies detaining them at least temporarily. A citation, on the other hand, is a written notice to appear in court for a minor offense when policy and statute allow it, so the person is not taken into custody. This contrast—custody with probable cause versus a non-custody court-appearance notice—is what distinguishes an arrest from a citation.

Arrests do not always require a warrant; many are lawful without one due to probable cause, with warrants needed only in specific situations. A citation does not involve lengthy detention; it keeps the person free and requires them to show up in court. Formal charges are not a prerequisite to arrest; charges are typically filed after the arrest, not before.