Cognizable offence

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A cognizable offence in the United States is a case where the police can arrest without a warrant. All cognizable cases involve criminal offences. Murder, robbery, theft, rioting, and counterfeiting are some examples of cognizable offences.

Non-cognizable offences are those criminal infractions, which are relatively less serious. Examples of non-cognizable offences include public nuisance, assault and mischief. The police cannot register criminal cases or cause arrests with regard to non-cognizable offences. In all such cases, the police have to secure permission from a magistrate or judge for registration of a criminal case.