What is the main purpose of arrest papers?

The primary purpose of arrest papers is to initiate the arrest process. These documents serve as the formal authorization for law enforcement to take a person into custody, outlining the specific allegations or offenses for which the individual is being arrested. By initiating the arrest process, these papers ensure that law enforcement is acting within legal boundaries and following proper procedures, thereby safeguarding the rights of the accused.

While recording charges against a person is a function of arrest papers, it is not their main purpose, as the focus lies more on the action of arresting. Bail and legal representation details are generally handled at later stages of the criminal justice process, after the arrest has been made. Thus, the importance of arrest papers primarily lies in their role as the catalyst for the arrest, setting everything in motion within the criminal justice system.