A law enforcement officer should release a subject after an arrest if which condition occurs?

The correct rationale for releasing a subject after an arrest hinges on the concept of probable cause. If probable cause dissolves—meaning that the facts or circumstances that initially justified the arrest no longer exist—the officer must evaluate whether there is a legal basis to continue holding the individual. Without probable cause, the justification for the arrest is weakened, and the officer is compelled to release the subject to avoid potential legal ramifications for unlawful detention.

The other options do not provide a valid legal basis for releasing a subject. A declaration of innocence by the subject does not negate the reason for arrest; claims of innocence are common and do not alter the facts at hand. Similarly, a threat of a lawsuit does not inherently invalidate the reasons for which the individual was taken into custody. Legal standards are based on the rule of law, and neither personal assertions nor threats can supersede the requirement of probable cause. Thus, the dissolution of probable cause is the critical factor that could necessitate the release of an arrested individual.