Definition of probable cause
: a reasonable ground for supposing that a charge is well-founded
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Examples of probable cause in a Sentence
The lawyer argued that there was a lack of probable cause for a search warrant.
The police had probable cause to arrest him.
Recent Examples of probable cause from the Web
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Indiana Jones honored by zoo: Harrison Ford wins award for wildlife conservation The speed limit is 45 mph, according to a probable cause affidavit.
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Maas was living in a nearby motel, according to the release, and was getting a divorce from his wife, according to a probable cause affidavit as reported by the Houston Chronicle.
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But the law stops short of requiring prosecutors demonstrate probable cause, which is necessary to obtain a warrant.
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Carpenter’s defense attorney Harold Gurewitz tried to get the lower courts to exclude information obtained from MetroPCS, arguing that the cell phone records could be seized only with a warrant supported by probable cause.
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The motion says the state doesn't have probable cause to pursue any of the three misdemeanor charges against Daniels.
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Treviño will be back in court Thursday for a hearing to determine whether the Border Patrol had probable cause to arrest him.
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Here, Brown contends that the officers arrested him and searched his car without probable cause.
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That the bike was under a tarp and parked on private property where no one was home made no difference, as the officer had probable cause to suspect the bike was evidence of a crime, the state court found.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'probable cause.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of probable cause
circa 1676
PROBABLE CAUSE Defined for English Language Learners
probable cause
Definition of probable cause for English Language Learners
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law : evidence that gives someone a reason to think that a crime has been or is being committed
Law Dictionary
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