Probable cause exists when a reasonable person would believe what?

• A. Probable cause exists when a reasonable person would believe that a particular person has committed a specific crime
• B. That a criminal act occurred, but not specific person
• C. That evidence exists
• D. That a search will be successful

Answer: (A)

Probable cause means a reasonable belief that a specific person has committed a specific crime. In practice, this standard is met when the facts and circumstances known to the officer would lead a reasonable person to conclude that the particular individual is responsible for a crime, not just that a crime occurred somewhere or that evidence exists, or that a search might be successful.

That’s why the best choice states belief about a named person’s involvement in a specific offense. The other ideas—that a crime occurred without identifying who did it, that evidence exists, or that a search will succeed—don’t tie the belief to a particular person or a specific crime, which is essential for probable cause.