Which statement best describes the difference between probable cause to arrest and probable cause to search?

• A. Probable cause to arrest and probable cause to search are the same standard.
• B. Probable cause to arrest requires more evidence than probable cause to search.
• C. Probable cause to arrest supports arrest; probable cause to search supports a search; both require facts and circumstances but apply to different actions.
• D. A search can be conducted without any probable cause if the officer feels it.

Answer: (C)

Probable cause is a belief of sufficient reliability that a crime has been or is being committed. The difference here is what that belief is used to justify. For an arrest, the belief must be that the person has committed (or is committing) a crime. For a search, the belief must be that evidence of a crime is located in a particular place or on a particular person. The standard itself is the same level of certainty in both cases, but it applies to different targets: the person for arrest, the place or item for a search. So the best description is that both rely on facts and circumstances, but they support different actions—arrest versus search.