Legal Definitions - certificate of probable cause

Definition: A certificate of probable cause, abbreviated as CPC, is a legal document that is issued by a judge in a criminal case. It is used to appeal a decision made by the court and is similar to a certificate of appealability.

Example: If a defendant is convicted of a crime and wants to appeal the decision, they may need to obtain a certificate of probable cause. This certificate is issued by a judge and confirms that there is a valid reason for the appeal. For example, if the defendant believes that their constitutional rights were violated during the trial, they may need a certificate of probable cause to appeal the decision.

Explanation: The example illustrates how a certificate of probable cause is used in a criminal case. It shows that the certificate is necessary for a defendant to appeal a decision made by the court. The example also demonstrates that the certificate is issued by a judge and confirms that there is a valid reason for the appeal.