Opinion
Delivered October 17, 1994
On July 18, 1994, we published a proposed amended Rule 4.1 of the Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure to include subsection (a)(iv) on domestic violence cases. We called for review and comment by the bench and bar within sixty (60) days of the date of the per curiam order. No comments were received. We, therefore, adopt amended Rule 4.1 to read as follows, effective immediately:
RULE 4.1 Authority to Arrest Without Warrant.
(a) A law enforcement officer may arrest a person without a warrant if the officer has reasonable cause to believe that such person has committed
(i) a felony;
(ii) a traffic offense involving:
(A) death or physical injury to a person; or
(B) damage to property; or
(C) driving a vehicle while under the influence of any intoxicating liquor or drug;
(iii) any violation of law in the officer's presence;
(iv) acts which constitute a crime under the laws of this state and which constitute domestic abuse as defined by law against a family or household member and which occurred within four (4) hours preceding the arrest.
(b) A private person may make an arrest where he has reasonable grounds for believing that the person arrested has committed a felony.
(c) An arrest shall not be deemed to have been made on insufficient cause hereunder solely on the ground that the officer or private citizen is unable to determine the particular offense which may have been committed.
(d) A warrantless arrest by an officer not personally possessed of information sufficient to constitute reasonable cause is valid where the arresting officer is instructed to make the arrest by a police agency which collectively possesses knowledge sufficient to constitute reasonable cause.
(e) A person arrested without a warrant shall not be held in custody unless a judicial officer determines, from affidavit, recorded testimony, or other information, that there is reasonable cause to believe that the person has committed an offense. Such reasonable cause determination shall be made promptly, but in no event longer than forty-eight (48) hours from the time of arrest, unless the prosecuting attorney demonstrates that a bona fide emergency or other extraordinary circumstance justifies a delay longer than forty-eight (48) hours. Such reasonable cause determination may be made at the first appearance of the arrested person pursuant to Rule 8.1.