Reasonable Suspicion Standards

Reasonable suspicion is a legal standard used by law enforcement to justify stops and searches. It means that an officer has specific, articulable facts that lead them to suspect a person is involved in criminal activity. This standard is lower than "probable cause," which is needed for arrests or warrants. Reasonable suspicion can be based on a person's behavior, location, or other observable factors, allowing officers to investigate further, such as asking questions or conducting a pat-down, without needing full-proof evidence. This helps balance public safety and individual rights.