True or False: An officer can legally conduct a search based on a hunch.

An officer cannot legally conduct a search based solely on a hunch. For a search to be lawful, there must be probable cause or a reasonable suspicion that a crime has occurred or that evidence of a crime will be found. A hunch lacks the necessary factual basis and objective justification required by law, which can lead to violations of an individual’s Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures. This legal standard is critical in maintaining the balance between individual rights and the enforcement of the law. Thus, an officer acting on a mere hunch would not have the legal authority to conduct a search.