probable cause

…only if there is “probable cause for believing” or “reasonable ground for suspecting” that evidence will be found. In some cases a person may be stopped on the street and searched, provided that the police officers identify themselves and state the reasons for the search. In the United States…

…decide whether there is “probable cause” or “prima facie evidence” to believe that a person has committed a crime. Should it so decide, an indictment, a formal accusation of crime, is returned, and the accused must stand trial before a petit, or trial, jury whose duty is to determine…

…warrants are issued only upon probable cause—that is, when there is evidence leading to a reasonable belief that the person to be arrested has committed a crime or that an object connected with criminal activity can be found at the place to be searched. Other legal systems employ less-stringent standards…

…a hearing to determine “probable cause” for trial; under continental law, courts usually make that determination on the basis of the documents assembled in the course of the investigation.

…such surveillance did not require probable cause (a showing of facts that would lead a reasonable person to believe that the surveillance would be likely to uncover evidence of criminal activity by the target) but only a certification by the government that the information sought was likely to be relevant…