Final answer:
Police can issue a citation for minor offenses like carrying an unlawful weapon, but need direct evidence for serious crimes like armed robbery. Senate Bill 1070 allows for questioning a person's immigration status based on reasonable suspicion, which critics argue can lead to racial profiling. An arrest warrant or probable cause is generally required to detain individuals, with some exceptions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Police may issue a citation instead of an arrest for certain offenses. This approach is typically used for minor crimes or misdemeanors. In the scenario provided, the suspects could be issued a citation for carrying an unlawful weapon if there is sufficient evidence for this charge. However, if police suspect one or both individuals of committing an armed robbery, they would require direct evidence to make an arrest for that more serious crime. If the evidence falls short, they may opt to issue a citation for the lesser offense they can prove.
Regarding the law that allows police to demand immigration papers given reasonable suspicion, critics argue this could lead to racial profiling. This law is exemplified by Senate Bill 1070, which has generated controversy over its potential for abuse and the encouragement of practices like racial profiling.
Finally, an arrest warrant based on probable cause is required for most detentions. However, in the case of felonies, an officer may arrest a suspect without a warrant given probable cause. When it comes to misdemeanors, police can arrest individuals without a warrant if they witness the crime themselves.