Why is probable cause an important clause in the collection of evidence?
There is no “probable cause clause” attached to the collection of evidence. EVIDENCE of a crime can be collected at any time law enforcement beomes aware of the offense. Evidence, once collected, is developed and used by the investigators, and can lead to the establishment of “probable cause” to charge a particular individual. Under a more technical view of evidence collection – sometimes a warrant may have to be applied for in order to look for and gather evidence and a judge would have to be persuaded that ‘probable cause’ existed to enter a premises or take blood samples, etc.
