NALA Certified Paralegal Practice Exam

_____ exists if there is a substantial likelihood that a crime was committed and the individual in question committed the crime.

1. A reason to arrest

2. A felony

3. Probable cause

4. None of the above

The correct answer is: Probable cause

Probable cause exists when there is sufficient evidence and reasonable belief that a crime has been committed and the person in question is responsible for the crime. This is a necessary requirement for an arrest to occur. Option A, A reason to arrest, is incorrect because probable cause is a legal standard that must be met before an arrest can be made, not just any general reason. Option B, A felony, is incorrect because probable cause applies to any level of criminal offense, not just felonies. Option D, None of the above, is incorrect because probable cause is the correct term for this legal standard.