What constitutes probable cause?

Probable cause is defined as a reasonable belief, based on factual evidence, that a crime has been committed or that evidence of a crime can be found in a particular location. This standard is essential in criminal procedure, particularly when law enforcement seeks a warrant for arrest or search, as it ensures that there are sufficient grounds to justify the intrusion into an individual's privacy or liberty.

A reasonable belief implies that the facts and circumstances within an officer's knowledge, when taken together with reasonable inferences from those facts, would lead a reasonable person to conclude that a suspect has engaged in criminal activity. This standard is more than mere suspicion or hunch but does not require the same level of certainty as proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

This understanding aligns with the legal framework surrounding probable cause set forth in various court cases and statutes, balancing the need for law enforcement to act on credible information against the individual's right to privacy and protection from unreasonable searches and seizures.