Final answer:
A peace officer generally cannot arrest without a warrant unless under special circumstances such as imminent danger, active pursuit of a suspect, or risk of losing evidence of a serious crime. The warrant requirement protects individual constitutional rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
Generally speaking, a peace officer cannot arrest, without a warrant, an individual unless there are special circumstances. These special circumstances, also known as exceptions to the warrant requirement, include situations like imminent danger to others, active pursuit of a suspect, or evidence of a serious crime which could be lost if immediate action isn't taken. These exceptions are not set in stone and depend on each individual case scenario. The legal requirement for a warrant is aimed at protecting the constitutional rights of individuals, in particular, the right to privacy and security against unreasonable searches and seizures under the Fourth Amendment.
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