Probable Cause to Search or Seize

This lesson reviews the concept of probable cause as defined and applied by the United States Supreme Court. It reviews the Aguilar-Spinelli "two-prong test" as well as the "totality of the circumstances" test developed in Illinois v. Gates, 462 U.S. 213 (1983). The lesson assumes the student has read the Gates decision and discussed it in class. It attempts to enhance the student's understanding of the cases and provides opportunities for the student to apply the tests to several fact patterns.