What type of evidence is required for an arrest under the Fourth Amendment?

The Fourth Amendment protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures, and it establishes the requirement of probable cause for making an arrest. Probable cause means that law enforcement officers must have a reasonable belief based on facts or evidence that a crime has been, is being, or will be committed. This standard is higher than mere suspicion or unparticular information.

Probable cause can be established through various means, such as witness statements, observations made by officers, or evidence gathered during an investigation. This requirement ensures that arrests are not made arbitrarily and that there is a legitimate reason to believe that a person is involved in criminal activity.

In contrast, hearsay evidence—statements made outside of court that are not based on a witness's direct knowledge—does not typically meet the standard of reliability needed for probable cause and thus would not suffice for an arrest. Eyewitness testimony can contribute to establishing probable cause but is not a standalone requirement. Reasonable suspicion, while it allows officers to stop and briefly detain individuals, is a lower standard than probable cause and does not justify an arrest on its own.

Therefore, the correct standard required for an arrest under the Fourth Amendment is probable cause, ensuring that law enforcement actions are based on adequate justification and evidence.