Probable cause must show?

• A. The facts and circumstances of the officer's knowledge are sufficient to warrant a belief that a crime has been committed.
• B. It must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime has been committed.
• C. It must be based on two independent sources.
• D. The facts and circumstances of the officer's knowledge are sufficient enough to warrant a reasonable belief that a suspect has committed, is committing, or is about to commit a crime.

Answer: (D)

Probable cause means the officer’s known facts and circumstances are enough to support a reasonable belief that a crime is or will be committed by the person involved. This is a practical standard—not certainty and not proof beyond a reasonable doubt, just enough to justify action like a stop, arrest, or search.

The best statement captures that by saying the officer’s knowledge must be sufficient to warrant a reasonable belief that a suspect has committed, is committing, or is about to commit a crime. It includes ongoing or imminent criminal activity and reflects that the belief must be reasonable, based on the facts known to the officer at the time.

The other ideas aren’t correct because they either demand too much (beyond a reasonable doubt, which is a conviction standard), require additional sources (two independent sources), or limit the belief to a crime having already been committed, rather than also allowing for ongoing or imminent wrongdoing.