Which statement distinguishes probable cause to arrest from probable cause to search in vehicle stops?

Which statement distinguishes probable cause to arrest from probable cause to search in vehicle stops?

• A. Arrest requires probable cause to believe the person committed a crime; a vehicle search requires probable cause to believe evidence of a crime is inside the vehicle
• B. Arrest requires probable cause to believe a crime occurred; a vehicle search requires probable cause to believe the suspect is inside the vehicle
• C. Arrest requires probable cause to believe the vehicle owner committed a crime; a vehicle search requires probable cause to believe the driver is intoxicated
• D. Arrest requires reasonable suspicion; a vehicle search requires probable cause

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that the standards serve different targets: when making an arrest, the officer must have probable cause that the person committed a crime. When searching a vehicle, the officer must have probable cause that evidence of a crime is inside the vehicle. The statement that best fits this distinction says an arrest requires probable cause to believe the person committed a crime, while a vehicle search requires probable cause to believe evidence of a crime is inside the vehicle. The other options misstate who or what the probable cause is focused on (for example, arguing the suspect’s presence inside the car, ownership, or intoxication, or replacing probable cause with reasonable suspicion).

The main idea is that the standards serve different targets: when making an arrest, the officer must have probable cause that the person committed a crime. When searching a vehicle, the officer must have probable cause that evidence of a crime is inside the vehicle. The statement that best fits this distinction says an arrest requires probable cause to believe the person committed a crime, while a vehicle search requires probable cause to believe evidence of a crime is inside the vehicle. The other options misstate who or what the probable cause is focused on (for example, arguing the suspect’s presence inside the car, ownership, or intoxication, or replacing probable cause with reasonable suspicion).