<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<section article="gcp" article_name="Criminal Procedure" number="2-204" title_number="2" title_name="Law Enforcement Procedures; Arrest Process" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Warrantless Arrests">
  <level label="a">
    <text>A police officer without a warrant may arrest a person if:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>the police officer has probable cause to believe that:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>the person battered the person’s spouse or another person with whom the person resides;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>there is evidence of physical injury; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>unless the person is arrested immediately, the person:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>may not be apprehended;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>may cause physical injury or property damage to another; or</text>
        </level>
        <level label="3">
          <text>may tamper with, dispose of, or destroy evidence; and</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>a report to the police was made within 48 hours of the alleged incident.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>If the police officer has probable cause to believe that mutual battery occurred and arrest is necessary under subsection (a) of this section, the police officer shall consider whether one of the persons acted in self-defense when determining whether to arrest the person whom the police officer believes to be the primary aggressor.</text>
  </level>
</section>
