Probable Cause

Criminal
"A warrantless arrest without probable cause violates the Constitution and provides the basis for a section 1983 claim[,]" but “[t]he existence of probable cause at the time of arrest...constitutes an absolute bar to a section 1983 claim for false arrest.” Case v. Eslinger, Case::555 F. 3d 1317, 1326-1327 (11th Cir. 2009) (internal quotation omitted). “Probable cause to arrest exists when law enforcment officials have facts and circumstances within their knowledge sufficient to warrant a reasonable belief that the suspect had committed or was committing a crime.” Id. at 1327 (internal citation omitted). Even failing probable cause, arguable probable cause exists where “[a] reasonable officer, in the same circumstances and possessing the same knowledge as the defendant, could have believed that probable cause existed to arrest.” Lee v. Ferraro, Case::284 F. 3d 1188, 1195 (11th Cir. 2002).