Virginia law authorizes specific law enforcement officers to make arrests without a warrant under certain circumstances. Officers can arrest individuals for crimes committed in their presence or based on probable cause for felonies and certain watercraft violations. The law also specifies which agencies and officers have these arrest powers.
Authorized officers include State Police, sheriffs, county and city police, conservation officers, Coast Guard personnel, DMV enforcement, alcohol control agents, campus police, and Capitol Police.
Officers can arrest someone without a warrant if they witness a crime being committed or have probable cause to suspect a person of committing a felony or certain watercraft violations.
Yes, officers can arrest individuals suspected of operating watercraft while intoxicated or in violation of related orders without a warrant.
The law limits warrantless arrests to crimes committed in the officer's presence or based on probable cause for felonies and specific watercraft violations.