What is "probable cause" in law enforcement?

Probable cause is defined as a reasonable belief, based on factual evidence and circumstances, that a person has committed a crime. This standard is fundamental in law enforcement as it provides the legal basis for many actions, such as obtaining search and arrest warrants. Probable cause requires more than just a vague suspicion or hunch; it necessitates specific and articulable facts that would lead a reasonable officer to conclude that a crime has likely occurred or is occurring.

For example, if law enforcement observes a person engaging in behavior that is consistent with drug dealing, combined with corroborating witness accounts and surveillance footage, these facts could contribute to establishing probable cause for arrest or search. This threshold helps to safeguard individuals' rights by ensuring that law enforcement actions are grounded in reasonable evidence rather than arbitrary or unfounded assumptions.