Which situation typically requires probable cause?

Probable cause is a legal standard that requires a reasonable belief that a person has committed a crime before law enforcement can take certain actions, such as making an arrest. In the context of the question, making an arrest is the clearest situation where probable cause is required. Law enforcement officers must demonstrate that they have enough evidence or reasonable grounds to believe that a crime has occurred and that the individual being arrested is involved in that criminal activity. This is crucial to uphold the rights of individuals and ensure that the power of law enforcement is not misused.

In contrast, running a stop sign typically results in a traffic violation and does not necessarily require probable cause for enforcement; officers can cite drivers based on the observable offense. Giving a warning is generally a discretionary action taken by officers and does not require the same legal threshold as making an arrest. Conducting a routine patrol involves police monitoring of an area and does not automatically necessitate probable cause, as officers are not necessarily taking action against specific individuals.