Which amendment requires probable cause for lawful arrest?

The Fourth Amendment is the correct answer because it explicitly protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures. This amendment establishes the requirement for probable cause as a necessary standard that law enforcement must meet before making an arrest. Probable cause means that there is a reasonable basis for believing that a crime has been committed and that the person being arrested is connected to that crime.

This requirement is crucial to prevent arbitrary or unjustified intrusions into an individual's freedom by law enforcement. By necessitating probable cause, the Fourth Amendment upholds the principle of personal liberty and privacy, ensuring that individuals are not subject to arrest without adequate justification. This constitutional protection serves as a check on governmental power and helps to maintain a balance between law enforcement duties and individual rights.

The other amendments listed do not address the issue of probable cause in the context of arrest. The First Amendment primarily deals with freedoms concerning religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition; the Sixth Amendment pertains to rights in criminal prosecutions, such as the right to a fair trial; and the Eighth Amendment protects against excessive bail, fines, and cruel and unusual punishment. None of these amendments directly govern the requirements for arrest procedures as outlined in the Fourth Amendment.