What does probable cause relate to?

Probable cause relates to the justification required for an arrest. It means that law enforcement has enough evidence or reasonable grounds to believe that a person has committed a crime or that evidence of a crime can be found in a particular location. This is a higher standard than reasonable suspicion, which is less stringent and only requires a belief that a person may be involved in criminal activity. Probable cause is critical because it protects individuals from arbitrary arrests without sufficient evidence.

The necessity for a search warrant is tied to a probable cause standard but is more specific to situations involving the search of premises or belongings. While reasonable suspicion is used as the threshold for stops and brief detentions, it does not suffice for arresting an individual. A consensual encounter does not require any level of suspicion or cause, as individuals are free to leave at any time. Thus, the focus on probable cause specifically highlights its role in legitimizing arrests.