What critical issue does the case Beck v. Ohio address?

The case Beck v. Ohio primarily addresses the need for probable cause in the context of arrests. In this landmark decision, the Supreme Court established that for law enforcement officers to conduct an arrest without a warrant, they must have probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed. In Beck's situation, the Court determined that the officers did not have sufficient probable cause when they arrested him; thus, the arrest was unlawful. This case underlined the importance of the probable cause standard, helping to ensure that individuals' Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures are protected. It reinforced the notion that mere suspicion is not enough for a legal arrest, which is a critical aspect of constitutional law and police procedure.