What must an officer have to justify the seizure of property believed to be stolen?

To justify the seizure of property that is believed to be stolen, an officer must have probable cause. Probable cause is a legal standard that requires a reasonable belief, based on facts, that a crime has been committed or that property is connected to criminal activity. This concept balances the need for law enforcement to act on reasonable grounds while protecting individuals' rights against arbitrary seizures.

In the context of seizing stolen property, probable cause means that the officer must have sufficient reliable information that supports their belief that the property in question is indeed stolen, as opposed to merely suspecting it might be. This standard is essential for ensuring that law enforcement actions are justified and lawful, providing a necessary safeguard in the legal system against unlawful searches and seizures.

Other options, such as reasonable suspicion, are a lower standard of proof and are not adequate for property seizure. Victim's testimony and witness statements can support probable cause but are not substitutes for it. Without meeting the probable cause requirement, any seizure of property could be challenged as unconstitutional.