What is considered a significant aspect of an arrest in terms of civil liberties?

An arrest is considered more intrusive upon civil liberties than a stop because it involves a higher level of state authority and an individual’s liberties are significantly curtailed. When a person is arrested, they are taken into custody, which restricts their freedom of movement and often leads to processing in a police facility, potentially including booking and detention. This action affects an individual's rights more severely compared to a stop, where a law enforcement officer may temporarily halt a person for questioning or observation without necessarily taking them into custody.

The principle surrounding an arrest emphasizes the necessity for probable cause, which serves as a legal threshold ensuring that the state intervention is justified. Thus, the impact on civil liberties is a key consideration in the context of arrests, highlighting the balance that must be navigated between law enforcement authority and individual rights.