Which circumstance does NOT constitute a valid right of arrest for malicious destruction?

The circumstance that does not constitute a valid right of arrest for malicious destruction is the existence of a warrant for damages under $1,200. In many jurisdictions, a warrant for civil matters, such as seeking damages, does not grant the authority for a law enforcement officer to make an arrest. Arrests related to malicious destruction typically require either probable cause or immediate observation of the act, as these situations indicate a crime is occurring or has just occurred.

In contrast, probable cause and immediate observation provide law enforcement with the necessary grounds to effectuate an arrest. Evidence of intent, while not always necessary for an immediate arrest, can also support the decision to arrest when officers discern that a person had the intention to cause destruction. However, civil warrants for damages do not empower officers in the same way as the criminal justice process does, highlighting the distinction between civil liability and criminal liability in the context of malicious destruction.