Law Enforcement Officers

• A peace officer's belief that an individual has committed a criminal act is the basis of probable cause. The officer must be able to convey in court the reasonableness of his suspicions. During a court case, police officers and sheriff's deputies need to prove the facts they knew at the time of a traffic stop or arrest support probable cause claims.
  
  

Court Hearings

• When an Ohio judge empanels a grand jury the group listens to arguments from both the defense and the prosecution to determine probable cause. If the group of 12 jurors determines the merits and facts of the case demonstrate verifiable evidence, the case is bound over for trial.
  
  

Reasonable Suspicion

• In Ohio, an adult who is on probation does not have equal access to probable cause when arrested or stopped for a possible violation. If a law enforcement officer has a reasonable suspicion of criminal activity, the parolee can be searched physically or have his property searched.