Final answer:
A police officer must establish probable cause before a judge can issue an arrest warrant. Evidence or testimony that reasonably implicates a person in a crime satisfies this requirement. The warrant is a legal document that enables police to detain the individual specified within it.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before a judge can issue an arrest warrant, a police officer must provide evidence to establish probable cause. Probable cause means that there is a reasonable basis to believe that a crime has been committed and that the person to be arrested is likely involved in that crime. This is a key safeguard in ensuring that the rights of individuals are protected before they can be detained.
In situations where the police witness a misdemeanor or a felony, they can make an arrest without a warrant. In such cases, the standard of probable cause must still be met. If an arrest is made, the accused has the right to be informed of the reason for arrest, which aligns with the principles of due process as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and various national constitutions.
An arrest warrant is a legal document signed by a judge that allows police to take a particular person into custody. To obtain this warrant, the police must convince the judge there is probable cause by providing evidence or testimony that points to the likelihood of the individual's involvement in a crime.