What allows a peace officer to make an arrest without a warrant?

The ability of a peace officer to make an arrest without a warrant is primarily grounded in the concept of exigent circumstances provided by state law. When a peace officer observes a breach of the peace or a felony being committed, the officer is authorized to act on that immediate situation and make an arrest without first obtaining a warrant. This is crucial for ensuring public safety and the enforcement of the law in real-time situations where waiting for a warrant could lead to further criminal activity or endanger public safety.

Breach of the peace generally refers to disturbances that could lead to violence or disorder, such as fighting or creating a hazardous situation that affects the general public. Similarly, felonies are serious crimes that warrant immediate action. This authority helps maintain order and protect the community.

Other options involve scenarios that do not typically allow for immediate warrantless arrests. Civil law violations do not necessarily permit such action by a peace officer, as those matters are usually resolved through civil procedures. An officer's discretion must still be backed by legal grounds and police procedure; it cannot justify an arrest outside of clearly established legal parameters. Reports from informants, while useful, do not provide the same level of immediacy and observable evidence required for warrantless arrests. Therefore, the correct choice