What constitutes probable cause for making a warrantless arrest?

Probable cause for making a warrantless arrest is established primarily through reliable evidence of a crime. This means that an officer must have enough factual information that suggests a crime has likely occurred and that the person to be arrested is involved. This evidence can include witness statements, physical evidence, or any other reliable information that can be corroborated and supports the belief that a suspect committed an offense.

Being grounded in specific facts rather than vague feelings or intuitions, reliable evidence helps ensure that the actions of law enforcement are justified and upheld in court. It reflects an objective standard, requiring officers to have more than just a simple hunch or feeling about a situation, which is crucial for upholding individuals' rights and maintaining lawful procedures in the justice system.

Other choices, such as intuition or previous arrests, lack the necessary factual basis required to establish probable cause and do not meet the legal standards set forth by the courts.