sufficient reason based upon known facts to believe a crime has been committed or
that certain property is connected with a crime. Probable cause must exist for a
law enforcement officer to make an arrest without a warrant, search without a warrant,
or seize property in the belief the items were evidence of a crime. While some cases
are easy (pistols and illicit drugs in plain sight, gunshots, a suspect running
from a liquor store with a clerk screaming "help"), actions "typical" of drug dealers,
burglars, prostitutes, thieves, or people with guilt "written across their faces,"
are more difficult to categorize. "Probable cause" is often subjective, but if the
police officer's belief or even hunch was correct, finding stolen goods, the hidden
weapon or drugs may be claimed as self-fulfilling proof of probable cause. Technically,
probable cause has to exist prior to arrest, search or seizure.
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