What is probable cause?

Probable cause is defined as facts and circumstances sufficient to believe a crime has been committed.

What is the difference between a mere encounter, a detention, and an arrest?

A mere encounter requires no suspicion at all.  It is an exchange of information.  A detention requires reasonable suspicion and is a temporary investigation.  An arrest requires probable cause.  Think of a staircase.  The first step, mere encounter, is the lowest form of police interaction.  The second step, a detention, requires suspicion a crime may have been committed.  The third step, probable cause, requires sufficient facts to believe a crime has been committed.

What if the officer didn’t have probable cause to arrest me?

If the officer arrests you without probable cause, than the arrest is unlawful and in violation of your constitutional rights.  Any evidence obtained from that unlawful arrest is inadmissible in court.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″ css=”.vc_custom_1454186630580{border: 1px solid #000000 !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”Follow Us on Social Media” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ google_fonts=”font_family:Playfair%20Display%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_facebook type=”standard”][vc_tweetmeme type=”horizontal”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_wp_search][vc_widget_sidebar sidebar_id=”sidebar-blog2″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]