A police officer may arrest without a warrant for a misdemeanor or felony committed in his presence and for a felony not committed in his presence if there was probable cause for the arrest. United States v. Watson, 423 U.S. 411, 423-24 (1976). This case asks whether an officer may arrest for a felony not committed in his presence if the probable cause was only for a misdemeanor.

Does the Fourth Amendment permit a police officer to make a warrantless arrest for a felony not committed in his presence where probable cause only exists to arrest for a misdemeanor?

Does the Fourth Amendment permit a police officer to make a warrantless arrest for a felony not committed in his presence where probable cause only exists to arrest for a misdemeanor?