Which factor is NOT sufficient alone to establish probable cause for a warrant?

Which factor is NOT sufficient alone to establish probable cause for a warrant?

• A. An officer's observation of contraband
• B. Information from a reliable informant with corroborating details
• C. A rumor with no corroboration
• D. A recent, reliable tip with details corroborated

Answer: (C)

Probable cause for a warrant comes from facts and circumstances known to the officer that would lead a reasonable person to believe evidence or contraband is present, based on the totality of the circumstances. Directly observing contraband is strong because you personally witnessed it. Information from a reliable informant with corroborating details is also strong, since reliability and verification reduce guesswork. A rumor with no corroboration, however, does not provide an objective basis to believe that evidence or contraband is present; without some independent support, it’s not enough to meet the standard. A recent, reliable tip with details that are corroborated fits the standard, because the corroboration helps establish that the tip is trustworthy.

Probable cause for a warrant comes from facts and circumstances known to the officer that would lead a reasonable person to believe evidence or contraband is present, based on the totality of the circumstances. Directly observing contraband is strong because you personally witnessed it. Information from a reliable informant with corroborating details is also strong, since reliability and verification reduce guesswork. A rumor with no corroboration, however, does not provide an objective basis to believe that evidence or contraband is present; without some independent support, it’s not enough to meet the standard. A recent, reliable tip with details that are corroborated fits the standard, because the corroboration helps establish that the tip is trustworthy.