What constitutes a reasonable basis for believing that a crime may have been committed?

Probable cause is defined as a reasonable belief, based on facts or circumstances, that a crime has been or will be committed. This standard is critical in the criminal justice system, as it provides law enforcement with the authority to conduct searches, make arrests, and take other necessary actions while ensuring that individuals' rights are not violated without sufficient justification.

Probable cause must be established using factual evidence rather than mere suspicion, which might be vague or unfounded. The premise behind this standard is to balance the need for effective law enforcement with the protection of individual freedoms, ensuring that actions taken by the police are grounded in objective reasoning and evidence rather than assumptions.