Final answer:
A person is named as a suspect in a felony crime report when there is probable cause to believe they have committed the offense. Probable cause relies on factual evidence and reasonable inferences, while federal cases require a grand jury indictment for felony charges.
Step-by-step explanation:
A person should be named as a suspect in a felony crime report when there is probable cause to believe that they have committed the offense. Probable cause exists when the facts and circumstances within the officers' knowledge, which are based on reasonably trustworthy information, would lead a prudent person to believe that the suspect committed the crime. The determination of probable cause can occur through various means such as witness statements, evidence at the scene, or information from a police investigation. In cases dealing with felony crimes, most states allow police to arrest someone without a warrant if there is probable cause. However, for federal court proceedings, an indictment from a grand jury is typically needed before a person can be tried for a felony, as outlined by the Fifth Amendment.
It is important to ensure that the process of naming someone as a suspect respects the individual's constitutional rights. For instance, if police apprehended two individuals whom they suspect of committing an armed robbery, they must have sufficient evidence linked to each suspect to charge them with the felony. If they lack direct evidence, they might only be able to proceed on less serious charges like possession of an unlawful weapon until more conclusive proof of the robbery can be established.