MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

What is required for an arrest to be made for burglary if the officer was not present?

1. Probable cause based on citizen’s testimony.

2. Evidence of intent to burglarize.

3. Surveillance footage of the act.

4. A corroborated witness statement.

The correct answer is: Probable cause based on citizen’s testimony.

For an arrest to be made for burglary when the officer is not present, it is essential that there are reasonable grounds to believe a crime has been committed, which is established through probable cause. Probable cause involves a set of facts or circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe that a suspect has committed a crime. In this context, if a citizen provides credible testimony that supports the belief that a burglary is occurring or has occurred, this can indeed establish sufficient probable cause for law enforcement to make an arrest. While evidence of intent to burglarize, surveillance footage, and corroborated witness statements can all contribute to the overall case or investigation, they do not universally ensure the establishment of probable cause on their own in the same way a compelling testimonial from a witness does. Therefore, citizen testimony that can be deemed credible and reliable is critical to justifying an arrest in situations where an officer did not personally observe the crime.