Who is an officer permitted to arrest without a warrant when authorized by law?

An officer is permitted to arrest offenders without a warrant when authorized by law because this is consistent with the principles of law enforcement. The legal framework allows police officers to take immediate action against individuals who are committing or have committed a crime, which qualifies them as offenders. This power is essential for maintaining public safety and order, allowing officers to act swiftly in situations where waiting for a warrant may hinder the pursuit of justice or allow for further unlawful behavior.

The other groups mentioned—witnesses, defendants, and victims—do not fit within the same legal grounds for warrantless arrest. Witnesses may provide information about a crime but are not directly involved in its commission; thus, they are not candidates for arrest under these circumstances. Defendants have already been charged with a crime and would typically be subject to arrest under a warrant issued during legal proceedings rather than under the immediate authority of police. Victims are individuals who have suffered harm as a result of a crime and are not involved in criminal activities themselves, thereby not being subjects for arrest by law enforcement.