probable cause

American  

noun

Law.

1. reasonable ground for a belief, as, in a criminal case, that the accused was guilty of the crime, or, in a civil case, that grounds for the action existed: used especially as a defense to an action for malicious prosecution.

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probable cause British  

noun

1. law reasonable grounds for holding a belief, esp such as will justify bringing legal proceedings against a person or will constitute a defence to a charge of malicious prosecution

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Etymology

Origin of probable cause

First recorded in 1670–80

Example Sentences

The lawsuit claims none of the arrests led to convictions and some were never prosecuted because police lacked probable cause to make the initial arrest.

From Los Angeles Times

The FBI said in an affidavit that there was probable cause to believe Natanson’s devices contained classified information, potentially including yet-to-be-published information that could “harm national security.”

From The Wall Street Journal

According to his probable cause affidavit, Ramirez said Beverley’s sister told him that her mother had called Beverley to come over after discovering that the girl had been out with her boyfriend without permission.

From Los Angeles Times

“I don’t think that’s enough for probable cause for a homicide,” she said in asking Robert J. Totten, the Juvenile Court commissioner, to dismiss the case.

From Los Angeles Times

"We agree that the probable causes are an accumulation of many attributes to depression," the jury foreperson said on Thursday, after about two hours of deliberation.

From BBC