What constitutes probable cause to arrest?

• A. A mere hunch with no supporting facts.
• B. A high probability beyond reasonable doubt.
• C. A suspicion based solely on a rumor.
• D. A reasonable belief, based on facts and circumstances, that a person has committed or is committing a crime.

Answer: (D)

Probable cause to arrest means a reasonable belief, based on the facts and circumstances known at the time, that a person has committed or is committing a crime. It’s an objective standard: the belief must be grounded in something more than a guess, rumor, or personal hunch, and it must amount to more than a mere suspicion. The assessment relies on the totality of the circumstances a prudent officer would consider at the scene, including what is observed, what information is reliable, and how the facts fit together to indicate criminal activity.

That’s why the best choice is the one that describes a reasonable belief based on facts and circumstances. A mere hunch, a rumor, or a suspicion without corroborating or reliable facts does not meet this standard, and beyond a reasonable doubt is the level of certainty required to convict someone—not to justify an arrest.