Opinion ID: 204587
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Objection to Hearsay Evidence

Text: Plaintiff first argues that the district court should have stricken from the record evidence of statements made to Fuller by the post office headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland, by Craig Jones, by Deputy Prosecutor Bean and by the post office employees who were consulted regarding the validity of the $1000 money order. Plaintiff insists the evidence regarding statements made by third parties is inadmissible hearsay which could not be considered in ruling on the motions for summary judgment. Plaintiff is correct that a court may consider only admissible evidence in assessing a motion for summary judgment. Gunville v. Walker, 583 F.3d 979, 985 (7th Cir.2009), citing Haywood v. Lucent Techs., Inc., 323 F.3d 524, 533 (7th Cir. 2003). However, we conclude that the district court properly considered the statements made by third parties to Fuller in determining whether there was probable cause for the arrest. The statements were not offered for their truth, but to show the basis for Fuller's decision to arrest Plaintiff. The determination of whether an arresting officer has probable cause to arrest an alleged offender turns on whether a reasonable person in the officer's position would have probable cause to believe that an offense has been committed. Woods v. City of Chicago, 234 F.3d 979, 987 (7th Cir.2000). Therefore, the inquiry depends upon whether the facts and circumstances communicated to the arresting officer at the time of the arrest would warrant a reasonable officer in holding such a belief. Id. at 987; see also Thompson v. Wagner, 319 F.3d 931, 934 (7th Cir.2003) (probable cause is determined by the facts and circumstances within [the officer's] knowledge at the time of the arrest). It is therefore proper for the district court to consider statements made to the officers to determine the effect that they would have upon the arresting officers when communicated to them by a presumptively reliable citizen. Woods, 234 F.3d at 987.