How long does a peace officer have, under certain circumstances, to apprehend a suspect without a warrant?

The correct answer is that a peace officer has the authority to apprehend a suspect without a warrant during immediate pursuit. Under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, if a peace officer observes a person committing a felony, or if the officer has probable cause to believe a felony is being committed, they have the right to pursue and detain that individual without a warrant for the duration of that immediate pursuit. This principle is based on the need to prevent the suspect from evading arrest and to ensure public safety.

In this context, the other choices do not align with the legal provisions for warrantless arrests. The options citing fixed time limits, such as 12 or 24 hours, do not reflect the nature of immediate pursuit, as this process is dependent on the circumstances of the situation rather than a predetermined time frame. Additionally, stating that there is no time limit could imply an indefinite extension that does not address the urgency and immediacy required in scenarios of active pursuit by law enforcement officers. Thus, the requirement for immediate action in the presence of a crime justifies the selection of immediate pursuit as the correct answer.