The warrant requirement states that warrants shall issue only upon what?

• A. Probable cause.
• B. Reasonable suspicion.
• C. Personal belief of the officer.
• D. A hunch.

Answer: (A)

Probable cause is the standard that must be met for a warrant to be issued. It means there is a fair probability that evidence of a crime or contraband will be found in the place to be searched, or that a particular person is involved in a crime, based on facts and circumstances presented to a judge or magistrate under oath or affirmation. This ensures a reasonable balance between individual privacy and the needs of law enforcement, requiring more than a guess or hunch. A lower standard, reasonable suspicion, can justify brief detentions or stops but not a full search warrant, and a mere personal belief or hunch does not meet the required factual basis.