An arrest is legal when an officer believes there is _____ that a crime is or has been committed and that the suspect committed the crime, the officer deprives the suspect of freedom, and the suspect believes she or he is in the custody of the police officer and cannot voluntarily leave.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An arrest is legal when the officer has probable cause - this means that they have sufficient evidence to believe that a crime has been committed and that the suspect committed the crime. This is a higher standard than reasonable suspicion, which is required for a Terry stop or brief detention. Certainty and proof beyond a reasonable doubt are even higher standards of evidence, but are not required for an arrest to be made.

An Arrest Is Legal When an Officer Believes There Is