Arrest Without Probable Cause In North Carolina
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FAQ
(g) If after the first appearance before a district court judge a defendant with consent of counsel desires to waive his right to a probable‑cause hearing, he may do so in writing filed with the court signed by defendant and his counsel. Upon waiver the defendant must be bound over to the superior court.
For example, the officer may have been called to a store after reports of a shopper acting suspiciously. If the accused is threatening to rob the store or is in clear possession of a firearm, this would give the officer the required probable cause to make an arrest.
Some courts and scholars have suggested probable cause could, in some circumstances, allow for a fact to be established as true to a standard of less than 51%, but as of August 2019, the United States Supreme Court has never ruled that the quantification of probable cause is anything less than 51%.
There are four categories into which evidence may fall in establishing probable cause. These include observational, circumstantial, expertise, and information: Observational evidence is based on what the officer sees, smells, or hears.
Probable cause demands that a reasonable belief that the individual is involved in criminal activity or has violated the law is supported by enough facts that make the likelihood of criminal activity higher than for determining a reasonable suspicion exists.
The presentation of any of these facts would allow an officer to perform a search and make an arrest. Be aware that minor traffic violations (e.g. speeding, broken tail-light, or expired registration) are not considered probable cause.
There are four categories into which evidence may fall in establishing probable cause. These include observational, circumstantial, expertise, and information: Observational evidence is based on what the officer sees, smells, or hears.
One instance where a lack of Probable Cause may arise is in prosecutions for Driving Under the Influence pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 23152(a) VC and California Vehicle Code Section 23152(b) VC. Law enforcement is always on heightened alert for impaired drivers, especially at certain times and locations.
If you are not in immediate danger, or the alleged crime is not in progress, you should contact your local law enforcement agency's non-emergency number in order to request an investigation. In some cases, law enforcement might advise you to begin the charging process, yourself.
