What is Probable Cause?
Probable cause is the linchpin in many criminal cases.
Police are required to have a cause to arrest someone or obtain a warrant from a judge.
In establishing probable cause, law enforcement needs to show an objective situation that leads them to believe a suspect has committed a crime. In other words, there must be factual evidence, rather than a hunch, that a person is guilty of a crime.
Whether or not it exists is the judge’s purview who can examine the evidence and may disagree with law enforcement. Much is riding on the judge’s decision since the probable cause is such an abstract idea. A definition can depend on the person.
In essence, probable cause is the necessary facts or evidence which would bring a reasonable person to believe a suspect has committed a crime. A typical example of this includes the sight or smell of illegal substances in plain view or an admission of guilt. It can also be a Police Officer seeing teenagers take a keg inside a house. They now have reasoning to go and check up on what is going on. To be clear, a minor traffic infraction such as speeding, broken tail-lights, or expired registration is not.
Probable cause usually stems from four different sources:
- Observation of suspicious and potentially criminal behavior
- An officer’s experience in elements of illegal activity
- Individuals gave statements
- Information collected by witnesses and informants
- Circumstantial evidence which may imply guilty but which does not prove it
Have you been arrested? Call the firm today for your free case evaluation—(713) 489-9773!