What is required for an officer to establish probable cause?

To establish probable cause, an officer must rely on factual evidence or information that is sufficient to lead a reasonable person to believe that a crime has been committed. This standard is critical because it ensures that law enforcement actions, such as arrests or searches, are based on objective and verifiable information rather than mere intuition or gut feelings. Probable cause strikes a balance between the need for effective law enforcement and the protection of individual rights against arbitrary or unjustified intrusions.

Factual evidence can include eyewitness accounts, physical evidence, patterns of behavior, or the officer's own observations. This requirement protects against wrongful accusations and helps to maintain the integrity of the justice system by ensuring that law enforcement has a solid foundation for their actions.