probable cause
87
6.8
- noun
- /ˈprɒb.ə.bəl kɔːz/
- Formal
:
causa probable
- In the criminal context, probable cause refers to the quantum of evidence necessary to justify a particular search.
- probable cause to search
- probable cause for a warrant
- establish probable cause
To get a wiretap you need to show probable cause and necessity.
- To get a wiretap you need to show probable cause and necessity.
- Yeah, I got well, yeah, I was well do what they do is you, you, they get probable cause they lock you up.
Examples
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You had a suspect, you developed probable cause, got a FISA warrant, and tapped his phones.
Blog text (6) -
To get a wiretap you need to show probable cause and necessity.
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The officers did not have a warrant or probable cause to enter the private parking area.
Blog text (11) -
Under state law, officers have to develop probable cause to search a closed or locked container.
Blog text (14) -
In order for law enforcement to obtain a search warrant, it must have probable cause.
Academic text (2017) -
Does it rise to the level of probable cause to enter someone's home or property?
Blog text (11) -
They determined that no probable cause exists to file any charges against Officer Randall.
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The Supreme Court elaborated upon the concept of administrative probable cause necessary for commercial inspections in Marshall v. Barlow's, Inc.
Academic text (1990) -
So there's a reason why the feds took the time to apply to a federal judge and establish probable cause to go into both of Diddy's castles.
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The police needed probable cause to search his house for evidence of the crime.
Synonyms
266
3.2
Reasons that justify a decision or action
156
4.0
A reason or explanation that shows an action is acceptable
How Justified
- Formal
87
6.8
39
2.3
Surface Forms
Morphology
The constituents 'probable' (likely) and 'cause' (reason) combine to give a basic sense of 'a likely reason', so a B1 learner who knows both words would grasp the general idea. However, the phrase is a specific legal term denoting a procedural threshold (sufficient grounds to justify arrest/search), a specialized nuance not fully predictable from the parts alone, so it is only partly transparent.
Etymology
Probable cause combines probable and cause, meaning 'likely' and 'reason', and gives a simple image: a broken window and footprints make a crime 'likely' and give police a 'reason' to search. That's why it means a legal 'reason' for police to arrest, search, or get a warrant.