Which statement best defines probable cause to arrest?

• A. Probable cause to arrest exists only after an arrest decision is made by a judge.
• B. Probable cause to arrest exists when the facts and circumstances within the officer's knowledge, and of which they have reasonably trustworthy information, are sufficient to warrant a belief by a reasonable person that a crime is being committed.
• C. Probable cause to arrest requires a warrant.
• D. Probable cause to arrest can be based on a single uncorroborated rumor.

Answer: (B)

Probable cause to arrest means that the officer has facts and circumstances within their knowledge, plus information they reasonably trust, that would lead a reasonable person to believe that a crime is being committed and that the person to be arrested is involved. It’s evaluated from the perspective of a reasonable officer at the time of the arrest and does not require a judge to have already decided anything. A warrant is not required for every arrest; probable cause can justify an arrest without one, with a warrant optional or necessary later for certain arrest scenarios. Rumors, especially if uncorroborated, do not meet this standard because they lack reliability and specificity. The statement that best captures the concept is the one describing probable cause as the facts and trustworthy information within the officer’s knowledge that would lead a reasonable person to believe a crime is being committed.