What must officers demonstrate as "probable cause" when making an arrest?

To establish "probable cause" for an arrest, officers must demonstrate a reasonable belief that a person has committed a crime. This standard requires more than mere suspicion or a hunch; it involves facts and circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to conclude that a crime has likely occurred. This belief can be based on various factors such as the officer's observations, information from reliable witnesses, and evidence at the scene.

The essence of probable cause is that it must be based on a totality of the circumstances—a combination of facts known to the officers that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the suspect has committed a crime. In contrast, other options refer to less substantiated notions. For example, mere suspicion or a personal belief is insufficient for probable cause, as it does not generally reflect facts that would support an arrest. Similarly, witness testimony, while helpful, is not always required to establish probable cause, and previous documentation of offenses, though important in some contexts, does not directly provide a current basis for probable cause related to a specific incident.