Probable cause is the level of evidence that police officers need to justify their actions. It means that they have a reasonable basis to believe that a crime has been committed, is being committed, or is about to be committed, and that the person they are targeting is involved in some way.
Probable cause is not a fixed or precise concept. It depends on the facts and circumstances of each situation. Courts have to decide on a case-by-case basis whether probable cause existed at the time of the police action. Some questions that this webinar will answer is:
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What seminal US Supreme Court cases define PC?
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How should police articulate PC in their reports?
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How can police establish PCs during criminal investigations?