Which US Supreme Court case determined that a search and seizure is valid if conducted under probable cause?

The case that determined a search and seizure is valid if conducted under probable cause is the one related to Illinois vs. Gates. This landmark ruling clarified the standard for probable cause, shifting the focus to a "totality of the circumstances" approach. This means that courts will assess all factors and circumstances surrounding a case to determine if there is enough evidence to justify a search or seizure.

In this decision, the Supreme Court emphasized that the probable cause standard does not rely on a rigid checklist but instead considers a broader perspective, allowing for more flexibility in law enforcement practices. This case has had a significant impact on how probable cause is interpreted, reinforcing the principle that reasonable belief based on the total situation is sufficient for conducting a lawful search and seizure.

The other cases mentioned do not establish the foundational concept of probable cause in the same way. Katz vs. US involved expectations of privacy, Pennsylvania vs. Mimms dealt with the right to order a driver out of their vehicle, and California vs. Acevedo focused on the scope of searches of vehicles. Therefore, Illinois vs. Gates is the pivotal case regarding probable cause in search and seizure law.