What role do informants play in establishing probable cause?

Informants play a crucial role in establishing probable cause because they can offer information based on their observations, knowledge, or experiences that law enforcement can use to support their suspicion of criminal activity. When law enforcement agencies receive information from informants, especially when it is corroborated by other evidence or when the informant has a track record of reliability, this information can significantly strengthen the case for establishing probable cause. The information provided by informants often serves as critical leads that law enforcement can investigate further.

In contrast, relying solely on informants in high-profile cases is not the standard practice, as they are valuable in a wide range of situations. Informants do not need to provide incriminating evidence alone; their credibility often stems from their relationship to the activity rather than just the severity of the evidence. Lastly, informants are indeed considered in probable cause evaluations, as their insights can be instrumental in forming a reasonable basis for a search or arrest warrant.