What is another term for arrests made without a warrant?

The term "on-view arrests" accurately describes arrests made without a warrant when law enforcement officers witness a crime being committed or have probable cause that a crime has occurred. This term emphasizes the officer's direct observation of the criminal activity, which allows for immediate action to be taken.

In many situations, the legality of conducting an arrest without a warrant hinges on the officer's ability to articulate their observations and justifications for the action taken at that moment. "On-view" signifies that the arrest is based on firsthand evidence rather than relying on prior knowledge or reports.

Other terms can have different connotations or may not explicitly refer to the circumstances surrounding the lack of a warrant. Immediate arrests might imply urgency but does not specify the lack of a warrant, while emergency arrests suggest a level of unpredictability related to a perceived immediate threat. Spontaneous arrests imply an impromptu nature, which can occur for various reasons beyond just witnessing a crime. Thus, "on-view arrests" is the most precise term for this context.