Which of the following is an element of an arrest?

An arrest involves specific legal criteria that must be met for it to be considered valid. One essential element of an arrest is the necessity for the arresting party to ensure their safety and the safety of others during the process. This includes searching for weapons, which is a standard procedure to minimize risks associated with potential confrontations. Ensuring the safety of the arresting officer and any bystanders is a foundational aspect of law enforcement protocols when apprehending an individual.

The other options do not constitute necessary elements of an arrest. Touching a vehicle without a warrant, moving from a lawful position to look inside a vehicle, and entering a vehicle before requesting a warrant all pertain to issues of legality in terms of search and seizure rather than directly addressing the elements required for an arrest. These actions raise different legal questions regarding the Fourth Amendment and search warrants, which do not directly relate to the core aspect of conducting an arrest safely.