"During a search, an officer observes, in plain view, an item not covered in the warrant. The officer believes the item to be ev
idence in a separate crime other than the offense currently being investigated by police. In order to seize the item, the officer must have _____ to believe the item is contraband or evidence of a crime."
Probable cause is a legal process which establishes that the police has sustainable and reasonable evidence and belief that an individual has committed a crime or an item is an evidence of a crime.
It provides the police with the right to arrest that particular person or seize an item of evidence without issuing a warrant.
However, it does not imply that the police can arrest or seize an item without a warrant through the provision of probable cause. The police force must have a strong evidence and reasonable belief that the arrested person is a criminal or a potential criminal.
