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[url]http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/forum12/42494.html
I learned that a LEO cannot make an arrest for a misdomeaner unless he observes the person committing it. Now if I combine the two it sounds as if I commit a misdomeaner and a LEO does not witness it then I am off scott free. Now I don't think that is quite correct so would someone care to elaborate on it?
There is a very broad range of exceptions for this. They the threat of harm, harm, various traffic offenses, indecent exposure, alcohol, vandalism, trespassing, and various others, including the most dangerous of all: cannabis.
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=10.31.100[/url]
And the alternative to arrest is a summons, which means they'll mail the charges and book you then. It doesn't mean you get off, it means that you don't get taken in immediately.
I think it used to be, a long time ago, they can't arrest you without a warrant on any misdemeanor, but that was when there wasn't many misdemeanors either. As we've moved more and more toward legislative totalitarianism ("law and order") and increased government interference in everyday lives, the idea of arresting people for lesser things became more acceptable. In US v. John Bad Elk in 1900, a guy killed a cop (Bad Elk was also a cop) while resisting arrest for a misdemeanor without warrant, and his death sentence was overturned and he was released on the basis of self-defense.