A police officer must arrest a juvenile if the child commits which offense?

• A. Any felony
• B. Unlawful assembly
• C. A photographable misdemeanor
• D. All of the above

Answer: (A)

When a juvenile commits a felony, arrest is required. Felonies are the most serious offenses, and the law mandates taking the juvenile into custody to ensure the case goes to the proper juvenile court process (Family Court) and to arrange any needed detention or supervision. This mandatory-arrest rule applies specifically to felonies, reflecting the seriousness of those crimes and the need for formal court handling.

For lesser offenses, such as unlawful assembly or a misdemeanor that’s eligible for a summons, arrest is not mandatory. Officers often have the discretion to issue a summons or an appearance ticket instead, unless there are circumstances that justify taking the juvenile into custody (like safety concerns, flight risk, or prior conduct). Therefore, only the felony triggers the mandatory arrest rule, making the option describing “any felony” the best answer.