In criminal law, what is defined as "probable cause"?

Probable cause is defined as a reasonable basis for believing that a crime may have been committed. This standard is crucial in criminal law as it determines when law enforcement officials can take further action, such as making an arrest or conducting a search. It requires more than just a vague suspicion but does not require the same level of certainty as definitive proof, which is typically necessary for a conviction in court.

This standard strikes a balance between safeguarding individual rights and empowering law enforcement to act when there is a reasonable belief that criminal activity has occurred. It acts as a foundational threshold that must be met to ensure that actions taken by authorities are justified and rooted in more than mere conjecture. This understanding reinforces the importance of probable cause as a fundamental concept in the legal system, particularly in procedural justice.