DB Response WK5

Courtney Morris

In this situation, the main question is whether police have enough probable cause to get an arrest warrant for John Smith. The Constitution says probable cause exists if, considering all the facts, reliable information would make a reasonable person believe the suspect committed the crime (Illinois v. Gates, 1983). Probable cause does not require proof beyond a reasonable doubt; it only needs a fair chance that the person committed the crime.

In this case, the cashier described the robber, and that description matched what was seen in the store’s security footage. The footage was low quality, so it did not make the victim’s account stronger or weaker, but it did not contradict it. Two days later, an officer saw Smith near the scene of the crime. Smith looked like the suspect and wore similar clothes, and he had a Liberty University parking sticker. Most importantly, the victim picked Smith out of a photo lineup. Courts have said that a victim’s identification, as long as it is not suggestive and is considered with all the facts, can be enough for probable cause (Neil v. Biggers, 1972).

Research shows that eyewitness testimony can be affected by different factors that influence how reliable it is. For example, Maras et al. (2026) point out that how jurors see and understand testimony can change its impact, so it is important to have good procedures in place. Still, just because mistakes are possible does not mean there is no probable cause, as long as the identification process was proper. In this case, there is no sign that the photo lineup was suggestive or violated any rights.

From a Christian perspective, Romans 13:1–4 teaches that civil authorities are meant to promote justice and prevent wrongdoing. This means police have both a legal and moral responsibility to act when there is credible evidence. At the same time, the Bible calls for fairness and impartiality (Proverbs 18:5). Asking a judge for an arrest warrant shows respect for due process and fits with biblical values of justice and fairness.

Based on the facts given, the positive eyewitness identification, along with matching descriptions and Smith’s presence near the scene, likely gives police enough probable cause to get an arrest warrant under the totality-of-the-circumstances standard.

Discussion Thread: Investigating Violent Crime

A convenience store is robbed by a white male approximately 21 years old who was wearing a Liberty University baseball cap and t-shirt. The victim cashier’s description is consistent with the store’s poor quality security camera image. The store’s security camera image does not add or detract anything from the victim’s statement.

Two days after the robbery, a local police officer observed a vehicle in the vicinity of the convenience store which displayed a Liberty University student parking sticker. The officer stopped the vehicle and asked the student to produce a driver’s license. The student’s physical description and clothing matched that of the robber. The student claimed that he was shooting “hoops” alone on Liberty University's campus at the time of the robbery. After identifying the driver as John Smith, the patrol officer released the driver. A photograph of John Smith was obtained and entered into a photo array that was shown to the victim cashier. The victim cashier identified Smith as the robber.

Solely based on the fact pattern of this fictional incident, please provide an answer and an explanation of your answer to the following question. Your answer must not incorporate any additional information to the fact pattern, but it may incorporate references to case law. Do you believe law enforcement has probable cause to obtain an arrest warrant for Smith? Integrate a Christian worldview perspective to support your discussion.

Courtney Morris

In this situation, the main question is whether police have enough probable cause to get an arrest warrant for John Smith. The Constitution says probable cause exists if, considering all the facts, reliable information would make a reasonable person believe the suspect committed the crime (Illinois v. Gates, 1983). Probable cause does not require proof beyond a reasonable doubt; it only needs a fair chance that the person committed the crime.

In this case, the cashier described the robber, and that description matched what was seen in the store’s security footage. The footage was low quality, so it did not make the victim’s account stronger or weaker, but it did not contradict it. Two days later, an officer saw Smith near the scene of the crime. Smith looked like the suspect and wore similar clothes, and he had a Liberty University parking sticker. Most importantly, the victim picked Smith out of a photo lineup. Courts have said that a victim’s identification, as long as it is not suggestive and is considered with all the facts, can be enough for probable cause (Neil v. Biggers, 1972).

Research shows that eyewitness testimony can be affected by different factors that influence how reliable it is. For example, Maras et al. (2026) point out that how jurors see and understand testimony can change its impact, so it is important to have good procedures in place. Still, just because mistakes are possible does not mean there is no probable cause, as long as the identification process was proper. In this case, there is no sign that the photo lineup was suggestive or violated any rights.

From a Christian perspective, Romans 13:1–4 teaches that civil authorities are meant to promote justice and prevent wrongdoing. This means police have both a legal and moral responsibility to act when there is credible evidence. At the same time, the Bible calls for fairness and impartiality (Proverbs 18:5). Asking a judge for an arrest warrant shows respect for due process and fits with biblical values of justice and fairness.

Based on the facts given, the positive eyewitness identification, along with matching descriptions and Smith’s presence near the scene, likely gives police enough probable cause to get an arrest warrant under the totality-of-the-circumstances standard.