When making an arrest under a warrant, is it necessary for an officer to have the warrant in hand?

When making an arrest under a warrant, it is not necessary for an officer to have the warrant physically in hand at the time of the arrest. The officer must, however, have probable cause to believe that the person they are arresting is the individual named in the warrant. This is grounded in the premise that law enforcement officers can rely on the information available to them, including the existence of a valid warrant. The officer may have access to the warrant through their agency’s database or communication systems, thus eliminating the requirement to physically possess it.

If an officer knows there is an outstanding warrant and can confirm this information via their communication device or police records system, they can proceed with the arrest. The courts have accepted that as long as the warrant is valid and the officer has sufficient information to support the arrest, carrying the actual document is not essential.