How do arrest probable cause and search probable cause differ?

• A. Arrest probable cause concerns crimes by a person; search probable cause concerns the presence of items for seizure.
• B. Arrest probable cause and search probable cause are the same.
• C. Arrest probable cause relates to property; search relates to people.
• D. There is no difference.

Answer: (A)

Arrest probable cause is about whether there is enough information to believe a particular person committed a crime, while search probable cause is about whether there is enough information to believe that evidence of a crime is located in a specific place or on a person so it can be seized. This means arrest probable cause focuses on the person and the alleged offense, justifying taking them into custody. Search probable cause focuses on the location and the items to be seized, justifying searching a place or person for those items (often via a warrant). The statement captures this distinction: arrest probable cause concerns crimes by a person; search probable cause concerns the presence of items for seizure. For example, seeing someone flee with stolen goods might give probable cause to arrest that person, whereas probable cause to search would be about believing that the stolen goods are likely to be found at a particular location.