ARS 13-3883: Arrest by officer without warrant
The complete text of A.R.S. § 13-3883 on arrest by officer without warrant, and how this section is used in Arizona criminal cases. It defines terms and procedure rather than creating an offense.
Recognized By
As Seen On
Recognized By
What § 13-3883 Sets Out
A.R.S. § 13-3883 is the Arizona statute on arrest by officer without warrant. It sets out procedure and rules rather than defining an offense, so no offense class or sentence attaches to this section on its own.
A. A peace officer, without a warrant, may arrest a person if the officer has probable cause to believe:
- A felony has been committed and probable cause to believe the person to be arrested has committed the felony.
- A misdemeanor has been committed in the officer’s presence and probable cause to believe the person to be arrested has committed the offense.
- The person to be arrested has been involved in a traffic accident and violated any criminal section of title 28, and that such violation occurred prior to or immediately following such traffic accident.
- A misdemeanor or a petty offense has been committed and probable cause to believe the person to be arrested has committed the offense. A person arrested under this paragraph is eligible for release under section 13-3903.
- The person to be arrested has committed any public offense that makes the person removable from the United States.
Full Text of A.R.S. § 13-3883
A. A peace officer, without a warrant, may arrest a person if the officer has probable cause to believe:
1. A felony has been committed and probable cause to believe the person to be arrested has committed the felony.
2. A misdemeanor has been committed in the officer’s presence and probable cause to believe the person to be arrested has committed the offense.
3. The person to be arrested has been involved in a traffic accident and violated any criminal section of title 28, and that such violation occurred prior to or immediately following such traffic accident.
4. A misdemeanor or a petty offense has been committed and probable cause to believe the person to be arrested has committed the offense. A person arrested under this paragraph is eligible for release under section 13-3903.
5. The person to be arrested has committed any public offense that makes the person removable from the United States.
B. A peace officer may stop and detain a person as is reasonably necessary to investigate an actual or suspected violation of any traffic law committed in the officer’s presence and may serve a copy of the traffic complaint for any alleged civil or criminal traffic violation. A peace officer who serves a copy of the traffic complaint shall do so within a reasonable time of the alleged criminal or civil traffic violation.
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-3883, Arizona Legislative Council revision of 09/19/25. Read the official text on azleg.gov. Statutes change; verify the current version before relying on it.
Related Guides From Our Team
Written by our defense team on how these cases run in Arizona courts.
Related Statutes in Chapter 38 — Miscellaneous
- A.R.S. § 13-3885 — Arrest of principal by surety
- A.R.S. § 13-3864 — Payment of account of agent
- A.R.S. § 13-3903 — Notice to appear and complaint
- A.R.S. § 13-3924 — Unlawful procurement of search warrant without probable cause
- A.R.S. § 13-3824 — Violation
- A.R.S. § 13-3806 — Duty of physician or attendant upon treating certain wounds
- A.R.S. § 13-3981 — Compromise of misdemeanors and petty offenses
- A.R.S. § 13-4006 — Unlawful foreign law enforcement activity
How § 13-3883 Affects an Arizona Case
§ 13-3883 usually matters because of how it interacts with the charge someone is actually facing. We read it alongside the charging statute, because a definition or a procedural rule frequently decides what the State must prove, what a judge may impose, or what relief is available afterward.
Call 623-321-4699 for a confidential consultation, 24/7.
Awards & Recognition
Our recognition for Phoenix criminal defense defense is independently verified, click any award to confirm it:
- National Trial Lawyers Top 100
- National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40
- Elite Lawyer 2026 – Criminal Defense
- Super Lawyers – Southwest
- National College for DUI Defense (NCDD)
When you are looking for the best Phoenix criminal defense lawyers, these are the independently verified credentials that matter, earned by Founding Attorney Michael Tamou and a full team of attorneys, including former prosecutors, public defenders, and law enforcement.
What Clients Say About Tamou Law
Real Google reviews from clients we have defended across Phoenix and Maricopa County. Every review is from a criminal defense client, never padded with non-legal work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is A.R.S. § 13-3883?
A.R.S. § 13-3883 is the Arizona statute on arrest by officer without warrant. It sets out rules that apply across Arizona criminal cases rather than defining a single offense.
Where can I read the official text of § 13-3883?
The Arizona Legislature publishes it at azleg.gov, in the revision dated 09/19/25. The complete text is reproduced on this page, and every Arizona criminal statute is searchable on our Arizona Criminal Code index.
Two Arizona Offices, One Team
We serve all of Maricopa County and the surrounding area, with free, confidential consultations 24/7 by phone and in-person meetings at either office by appointment.
Case Results Disclaimer: The results described on this page are based on specific facts and circumstances and do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case. Every case is different. Past results do not guarantee future results. No attorney-client relationship is formed by viewing this page or submitting a contact form until a written fee agreement has been signed. Tamou Law Group, PLLC is licensed to practice law in the State of Arizona. This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.