What is reasonable suspicion defined as?

Reasonable suspicion is defined as the ability to articulate specific facts or circumstances that reasonably lead one to believe that criminal activity may be occurring. This standard is derived from the Fourth Amendment and allows law enforcement officers to stop and briefly detain individuals for investigative purposes, as long as they have specific, articulable facts that suggest something suspicious is taking place.

This definition is crucial for ensuring that police powers are balanced with individuals' rights, preventing arbitrary or random stops. The facts that contribute to reasonable suspicion can include observations made by the officer, the behavior of the suspect, or information gathered from other sources, provided they can be detailed and referenced upon questioning.

In contrast, simply having a feeling that a crime might occur, a gut feeling, or knowing a suspect’s history does not meet the legal threshold necessary to justify a stop. These concepts lack the specificity and evidence required for reasonable suspicion, which relies on particular behaviors or indicators that suggest potential criminal conduct.