A peace officer when making a lawful arrest, or serving a knock and announce warrant, may forcibly enter a premises. We explain the arrest process and how to detect if the police have stepped over the line.Contact us to learn more about your arrest. Most of the time police do not need a warrant in order to effectuate an arrest. Usually all they need is probable cause. The Constitution allows arrest to be made upon probable cause, without a warrant, except where a warrant is required to enter private premises. For a cop, it takes five to ten minutes to fill out and print the arrest warrant depending upon the typing skills. For a cop, it takes five to ten minutes to fill out and print the arrest warrant depending upon the typing skills. Usually, you will not have any formal advanced warning that an arrest warrant has been issued. None of the exceptions to the Payton and Steagald rules applied to Thabit's arrest.