arrestable offense

law

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June 18, 2026

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An arrestable offense is a criminal offense for which an arrest is legally authorized. Historically, common law divided crimes into felonies (more serious) and misdemeanors (less serious). Police generally had the power to arrest for felonies but not misdemeanors.12

In modern law, particularly in England, the distinction shifted to "arrestable offenses," generally defined as those punishable by five years or more imprisonment. However, arrests can be made for other crimes under specific conditions. An arrest is the act of taking a person into custody to compel obedience to the law, typically to answer a criminal charge or prevent an offense. Arrests can be made with or without a warrant, based on probable cause or the commission of a crime in an officer's presence.23

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crime
Classification of crimes
…replaced by the distinction between arrestable offenses and other offenses. An arrestable offense was one punishable with five years’ imprisonment or more, though offenders could be arrested for other crimes subject to certain conditions. Subsequently, further classifications were devised. For example, a subcategory of “serious” arrestable offenses was created, and,…
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…replaced by the distinction between arrestable offenses and other offenses. An arrestable offense was one punishable with five years’ imprisonment or more, though offenders could be arrested for other crimes subject to certain conditions. Subsequently, further classifications were devised. For example, a subcategory of “serious” arrestable offenses was created, and,…
Read More