What is reasonable suspicion?

Reasonable suspicion refers to a legal standard used in the context of law enforcement to justify brief stops and investigative actions. It exists when a law enforcement officer has specific and articulable facts that suggest a person may be involved in criminal activity. This standard is lower than probable cause, which is required for arrests or obtaining warrants.

The framework of reasonable suspicion allows officers to act on their instincts, based on the observations they make in the field. This might include behaviors that are consistent with criminal activity, anomalous behavior in a high-crime area, or other relevant facts that provide a reasonable basis for concern. The emphasis is on the totality of the circumstances and the officer's experience in interpreting them.

In contrast, believing a person is innocent does not meet the threshold for any police action. The standards necessary for arrest and obtaining warrants require a higher level of certainty about a person's involvement in criminal activity than what reasonable suspicion entails. Understanding this distinction clarifies the importance of reasonable suspicion in enabling law enforcement to intervene without violating individuals' rights.