A complaint may contain probable cause if additional information is added to the complaint to cause the judge to believe the defendant committed the crime.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only with witness testimony
• D. Only if the judge approves in advance

Answer: (A)

Probable cause exists when there is a reasonable basis to believe the person named committed the crime, based on the facts and circumstances presented. A complaint can include sworn facts, observations, and evidence that, taken together, give the judge a fair probability of guilt. Adding information to the complaint to strengthen that showing is exactly how probable cause is demonstrated. The information can come from various sources—eyewitness accounts, physical evidence, officer observations—and does not rely solely on one type of testimony. There is also no requirement for pre-approval by the judge before filing; the judge reviews the complaint to determine whether probable cause exists. So, including additional information in the complaint to lead the judge to believe the defendant committed the crime is how a complaint can contain probable cause.