Probable Cause
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary · Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Such a state of facts as to make it a reasonable presumption that their supposed existence was the cause of action. The principal technical use of the phrase is to define the degree of certainty which will justify one in instituting a criminal prosecution, and relieve from liability for malicious prosecution should the charge prove unfounded. As so used, "probable cause'' is such a state of facts known to and influencing the prosecutor as would lead a man of ordinary caution and prudence, acting conscientiously, impartially, reasonably, and without prejudice, to believe, or entertain an honest and strong suspicion, that the person accused is guilty. Hilliard, Torts, c.
12, § 18; 81 Ala. 220; 62 N. Y. 19.
Belief in the guilt of the person accused must exist (67 Wis. 350), but is not in itself sufficient (56 Mich. 367), if ordinary care, diligence, and impartiality were not exercised (60 Miss. 916).