Both search and arrest warrants must be based on

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Probable cause governs both search and arrest warrants. It requires a fair probability that evidence or contraband will be found, or that the person to be arrested is involved in a crime, based on facts presented to a judge. This standard sits between mere suspicion and absolute certainty and is evaluated using the totality of the circumstances. It can draw on multiple sources, including observations, documents, and even hearsay if the information is credible and corroborated. But it cannot rest on conjecture or guesswork. That’s why a warrant cannot be issued on a vague hunch; there must be enough reliable facts to justify the intrusion. Reasonable suspicion is too low a standard and may justify only a stop or detention, not a warrant. Hearsay alone isn’t enough for a warrant, though it can contribute to probable cause when supported by additional corroborating information.