What term is used for the information necessary to justify an arrest?

Probable cause refers to the legal standard that law enforcement must meet before making an arrest, conducting a search, or receiving a warrant. It means there is a fair probability that a crime has been committed and that the person being arrested is responsible for that crime. Officers must use factual evidence and circumstances to establish this level of belief, which is higher than reasonable suspicion but lower than the standard required for conviction.

In the context of making an arrest, probable cause is vital because it balances the need for law enforcement to act and the individual’s rights against unreasonable search and seizure. This threshold ensures that arrests are based on clear evidence rather than mere hunches or assumptions, thereby protecting citizens from arbitrary detentions.

Other terms listed are important legal concepts but do not directly pertain to the information needed to justify an arrest. Reasonable suspicion is a lower standard than probable cause and is generally used for temporary stops and investigations rather than arrests. An affidavit is a written statement confirmed by oath or affirmation for use as evidence and is not the standard required to justify an arrest. An indictment is a formal charge or accusation of a serious crime and comes after probable cause has already been established, typically by a grand jury.