What is "reasonable suspicion" in law enforcement?

"Reasonable suspicion" is a legal standard that allows law enforcement officers to briefly detain or question individuals when they have specific and articulable facts that suggest that the person may be involved in criminal activity. This standard is lower than probable cause, which is required for obtaining a search warrant or making an arrest.

In the context of the criminal justice system, reasonable suspicion is essential for allowing officers to act on their instincts and observations without needing definitive proof. This criterion enables officers to investigate further based on a combination of their knowledge, experience, and the suspicious behavior or circumstances they observe. For example, if an officer observes someone behaving in a manner that suggests potential criminal activity, they can temporarily stop and question that person to gather more information.

The other options are based on different legal standards. The standard for obtaining a search warrant requires probable cause, which is a higher threshold than reasonable suspicion. Similarly, reasonable suspicion does not provide sufficient grounds for arrest; that requires probable cause as well. Absolute proof of criminal activity is not a standard used in law enforcement; rather, the justice system operates on the presumption of innocence until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.