Which circumstance could lead to a non-custodial arrest?

• A. Citation issuance
• B. Arrest warrant
• C. Felony charge
• D. Physical detention

Answer: (A)

A non-custodial arrest generally occurs when law enforcement takes action to formalize a person's involvement in an infraction without physically detaining them in jail. The issuance of a citation is a common method for achieving this; it allows the officer to document the offense and instruct the individual to appear in court at a later date. In this context, the citation serves as a legal directive to respond to a charge without necessitating immediate incarceration.

In contrast, the other options typically involve circumstances that would result in custodial arrest. An arrest warrant indicates that law enforcement has probable cause to take an individual into custody, normally leading to immediate detention. A felony charge inherently suggests a more serious offense, often involving the necessity for physical arrest. Physical detention refers to the act of taking someone into custody and holding them at a police station or jail, which is directly opposite to the nature of a non-custodial arrest.