Legal Definitions - probabilis causa

Term: PROBABILIS CAUSA

Definition: Probabilis causa is a Latin term that means "probable cause." It refers to the evidence or information that is strong enough to suggest that a crime or wrongdoing has occurred, but not necessarily enough to prove it beyond a reasonable doubt.

Example: A police officer pulls over a driver who is swerving on the road. The officer smells alcohol on the driver's breath and notices that their eyes are bloodshot. This is probable cause for the officer to administer a breathalyzer test to determine if the driver is driving under the influence.

Explanation: In this example, the officer has enough evidence to suggest that the driver may be breaking the law by driving under the influence. However, this evidence alone is not enough to prove that the driver is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The officer needs to administer a breathalyzer test to gather more evidence before making an arrest or pressing charges.