Probable cause is a requirement found in the Fourth Amendment that must usually be met before police make an arrest , conduct a search , or receive a warrant . Courts usually find probable cause when there is a reasonable basis for believing that a crime may have been committed (for an arrest) or when evidence of the crime is present in the place to be searched (for a search ). Under exigent circumstances , probable cause can also justify a warrantless search or seizure . Persons arrested without a warrant are required to be brought before a competent authority shortly after the arrest for a prompt judicial determination of probable cause.

I would suspect an arrest was made too early without adequate hard evidence that could be proven beyond a reasonable doubt (at least at this time).

The message to investigators and prosecutors from the judge would be to be more thorough before making an arrest.