Probable Cause
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Plain-English Meaning
A legal standard that requires police to have a reasonable basis — based on facts and circumstances — to believe that a crime has been committed before making an arrest or obtaining a search warrant. It's more than a hunch but less than proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
Legal Context
The Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution requires probable cause for arrests and search warrants. In New York, probable cause is also required under Article 1, Section 12 of the New York Constitution, which is interpreted independently and sometimes provides broader protection than the federal standard. Probable cause exists when the facts known to an officer, viewed objectively, would lead a reasonable person to conclude that criminal activity is occurring or has occurred.
Real-Life Example
An officer observed a person crouching behind cars in a parking lot at 2 a.m. and checking door handles. Based on those observations — the late hour, the furtive behavior, and the pattern of checking multiple cars — the officer concluded there was probable cause to believe the person was attempting to break into vehicles and made an arrest.
Related Terms
Source
Based on U.S. Const. amend. IV and N.Y. Const. art. I, § 12. Original B-Legal plain-language explanation.
U.S. Const. amend. IV; N.Y. Const. art. I, § 12
Definitions are simplified for education. Legal meanings vary by jurisdiction, context, and case facts. This definition is original B-Legal content and is not affiliated with or derived from any proprietary legal dictionary.