Define and describe probable cause

Answer 1

Probable cause refers to the standard by which a police officer has the right to make an arrest, conduct a personal or property search, or to obtain a warrant for arrest. It is also used to refer to the standard to which a grand jury believes that a crime has been committed.

Added: Probable cause is the standard used in justifying certain police actions. For example, police need to have probable cause to believe evidence of a crime exists when making an arrest or in requesting a search warrant.

Probable Cause is more than mere suspicion but less than the amount of evidence required for conviction.

For example: A police officer may use "probable cause" to arrest someone for attempted theft when he finds someone trespassing on private property late at night wearing a stocking mask. Using this probable cause as justification for stopping the subject and, searching them, they find them in possession of burglary tools, thereby justifying the probable cause forcible stop.