Probable Cause in Criminal Justice
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Objective
I can define probable cause and explain its role in the criminal justice system.
Part 1 of 4
Warm-up video
CrashCourse · 7:38Vetted channel
We don't generate video — this one is by CrashCourse on YouTube. The practice questions and exit ticket below were drafted by AI for this objective, and every question is editable in the teacher guide.
Part 2 of 4
Key concepts
3 concepts
- 1
The Fourth Amendment protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures, but this protection is not absolute.
- 2
A search warrant, which must be based on probable cause and describe the place to be searched and the items to be seized, is typically required for a legal search, but there are many exceptions to this rule, especially concerning automobiles.
- 3
The exclusionary rule, established in Mapp v. Ohio, prevents illegally obtained evidence from being used in a trial; for example, if police search a home without a valid warrant and find illegal drugs, that evidence cannot be used against the defendant.
Part 3 of 4
Practice
9 questions
Define probable cause in your own words, based on the information presented in the video.
According to the Fourth Amendment, what specific details must a warrant include?
Part 4 of 4
Exit ticket
Quick comprehension check
“Define probable cause in your own words and explain how it is used to obtain a search warrant.”
Sample answer included in the free materials
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