A search warrant affidavit may draw on hearsay information as part of establishing probable cause.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only if the informant is named
• D. Only if corroborated by independent evidence

Answer: (A)

Probable cause can be built using information from others, not just the officer’s own observations. An affidavit for a search warrant may include hearsay information—such as tips from informants or statements from witnesses—because the Fourth Amendment requires a totality-of-the-circumstances assessment, not personal knowledge alone. The reliability of that hearsay is evaluated by factors like how specific and detailed the information is, the informant’s credibility or track record, and whether other facts in the affidavit corroborate the information. If, taken together with independent observations or corroborating evidence, the information creates a fair probability that evidence or contraband is at the location, the affidavit meets the probable-cause standard. So hearsay can indeed be part of establishing probable cause.