What must an officer believe to lawfully execute an arrest for a felony?

For an officer to lawfully execute an arrest for a felony, the officer must have probable cause to believe that the person has committed a felony, even if they did not witness the act themselves. This understanding is grounded in the concept of probable cause, which requires law enforcement officers to have sufficient reason based on facts or circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe that a felony has been committed by the individual in question.

In the context of law enforcement, probable cause might be established through witness statements, evidence, or prior knowledge about an individual's criminal activity. This principle is crucial as it balances the need for effective law enforcement action with the protection of individual rights against unreasonable searches and seizures.

The other options do not align with legal standards for making an arrest. For instance, believing someone is innocent contradicts the idea of establishing probable cause. Being involved in community service does not provide grounds for an arrest. Additionally, requiring a lawyer's presence before an arrest can occur is not a legal prerequisite; individuals are entitled to legal representation, but this does not affect the authority of an officer to make an arrest based on probable cause.