When is an arrest in a public place considered lawful?

An arrest in a public place is considered lawful when it is conducted with probable cause and without a warrant because the Fourth Amendment allows law enforcement officers to make warrantless arrests if they have sufficient reason to believe that a crime has been committed or is in the process of being committed. This principle acknowledges the need for officers to act quickly in certain situations where a delay in obtaining a warrant could jeopardize public safety or lead to the loss of evidence.

In public places, officers are typically allowed more leeway to detain individuals based on the totality of circumstances that indicate criminal activity. Thus, the presence of probable cause alone justifies the arrest without the requirement of obtaining a warrant in advance.

The other considerations like exigent circumstances refer to situations that require immediate action, and consent can play a role in the legality of an arrest but are not the primary factors that establish lawful arrests in public spaces in the manner described in the question.