A homicide charge against a person is one of the most severe in criminal law. To be arrested for homicide, or any other criminal charge, the police must have probable cause, a legal requirement of sufficient reason from the facts and circumstances of the situation, that an individual has committed the crime. In general, the police must have probable cause to obtain a search warrant before searching for evidence.
In Green Bay, Wisconsin, the police arrested several people in connection with the alleged shooting death of a 15-year-old boy. The arrests came after the police supposedly received a tip that a specific home was connected to the shooting. According to police, they obtained a search warrant and conducted a search of the home, which led to the arrests. It is likely that the charges will be related to the homicide of the victim.
The search warrant that led to the arrests was based off an anonymous tip. The police must obtain enough evidence from the circumstances in order to receive a warrant to search — search warrants must specify the place and items that will be searched and possibly seized. Anonymous tips may or may not provide sufficient probable cause for a search warrant.
Every person is entitled to due process; all are presumed innocent until proven guilty under the law. It is important that an individual facing criminal charges, and especially for those charged with violent crimes like homicide, to receive a fair trial according to their constitutional rights.
Source: Green Bay Gazette, “Suspects held in fatal shooting of 15-year-old boy in Green Bay,” Charles Davis, Aug. 2, 2012