What is 'probable cause' used for?

Probable cause is primarily used as a legal standard to justify law enforcement actions, specifically in the context of making arrests or conducting searches. It refers to the necessity for law enforcement to have a reasonable basis to believe that a person has committed a crime or that evidence relating to a crime can be found in a specific location. This standard is crucial to protect individuals from arbitrary government actions and to uphold their Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures.

When officers have probable cause, it allows them to proceed with arrests or obtain warrants for search and seizure, ensuring that any evidence collected can be used in legal proceedings. This concept is essential in maintaining the balance between enforcing the law and protecting individual rights.

The other options do not pertain to the concept of probable cause. Filing civil suits is based on different legal principles and standards, while jury selection processes and closing arguments focus on trial procedures and standards for evidence and persuasion that do not involve the probable cause standard.