Probable cause is defined by:

• A. A simple hunch the person arrested has committed the crime in question.
• B. A strong and honest presumption that the person arrested has committed a crime.
• C. It is beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime has occurred.
• D. A and B

Answer: (B)

Probable cause is a reasonable belief, based on facts and circumstances known at the time, that a crime has been or is being committed and that the person involved is connected to it. It’s more than a mere hunch but less than proof beyond a reasonable doubt, which is needed for a conviction. The best description among the options is the one that states there is a strong and honest presumption that the person arrested has committed a crime, because that wording reflects a belief grounded in available facts rather than a guess. A simple hunch isn’t enough to justify arrest, and beyond a reasonable doubt is the standard for conviction, not the trigger for an arrest. Combining a hunch with a presumption would still rely on an inadequate basis, so it’s not correct.