When can a peace officer assume probable cause for an arrest?

A peace officer can assume probable cause for an arrest when they believe a felony has occurred because probable cause is a legal standard that requires more than mere suspicion; it necessitates a reasonable belief that a crime has been committed and that the individual in question is connected to that crime. When an officer has a belief grounded in specific and articulable facts that a felony has taken place, they can act within their legal authority to make an arrest.

In contrast, simply suspecting that a person might commit a crime does not meet the threshold for probable cause. Similarly, while having tangible evidence of a crime or witnessing a public disturbance can certainly support a claim of probable cause, they may not always constitute the necessary belief that a felony has been committed without the relevant context. Therefore, the assertion that a felony has occurred is pivotal in establishing the grounds for a lawful arrest.