Probable Cause (Noun)
Meaning
(law) evidence sufficient to warrant an arrest or search and seizure; "a magistrate determined that there was probable cause to search the house".
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Examples
- The police officer needed to establish probable cause before obtaining a warrant to search the suspect's vehicle.
- The judge determined that the evidence presented was not sufficient to establish probable cause for the arrest.
- In order to obtain a search warrant, the detective had to demonstrate probable cause that a crime had been committed.
- The defense argued that the police did not have probable cause to stop and search the defendant's car.
- The magistrate found that there was probable cause to believe that the suspect was hiding evidence in his home.