When can a peace officer pursue a criminal suspect without a warrant?

A peace officer can pursue a criminal suspect without a warrant when the officer has probable cause to believe that the suspect is committing a crime. This situation includes various scenarios, one of which is when a suspect is fleeing on foot. In such instances, the officer's immediate observation of the suspect's actions can justify a warrantless pursuit due to the exigent circumstances.

The choice regarding a credible source informing the officer of a crime may imply that there is reasonable suspicion, but it does not inherently establish the probable cause necessary for warrantless pursuit. It's crucial to clarify that while reliable information can direct an officer's actions, it alone doesn't always permit pursuit without a warrant unless it directly accompanies other factors that articulate an immediate need for the officer to act.

Regarding traffic law violations, while they can provide grounds for an officer to stop and investigate, not all violations automatically justify a pursuit without further evidence suggesting the necessity of immediate action.

Finally, having prior knowledge of the suspect may help in an investigation, but alone, it may not suffice to justify a pursuit unless it is linked to current criminal behavior necessitating immediate action. Therefore, the officer's probable cause based on witnessing a suspect's crime is the primary factor justifying a warrantless pursuit.