What is probable cause in criminal procedure?

Probable cause is an important concept in criminal procedure in Washington state. It is a legal standard of evidence that must be met for a person to be detained, arrested, or to have a warrant issued against them. Probable cause is the level of suspicion that would lead a reasonable and prudent person to believe that a crime has been committed by a particular person. In criminal procedure in Washington, probable cause is established by using evidence like eyewitness accounts, physical evidence, and other information that indicates that a crime has been committed. When an allegation of a crime is made, an arresting officer must base his/her decision on probable cause. This means that the officer must have enough evidence to make a reasonable assumption that the accused person is connected to the alleged crime. If an officer has probable cause, they can place someone under arrest, search them, or get a search warrant. Having probable cause is necessary for the police to be legally allowed to take certain measures and can act as a protection against unreasonable searches and seizures. Without probable cause, the evidence obtained during a search or arrest can be dismissed, and any charges against the accused can be thrown out. Therefore, probable cause is an important part of criminal procedure in Washington state.

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What is probable cause in criminal procedure?

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