What standard justifies a lawful stop based on facts?

• A. Detention Justification
• B. Reasonable Suspicion
• C. Warrantless Arrest
• D. Show-Up

Answer: (B)

Reasonable suspicion is the standard that justifies a brief stop when an officer has specific, articulable facts indicating that something criminal may be afoot. It’s evaluated using the totality of the circumstances, not a mere hunch or vague intuition. This allows a temporary detention to ask questions or conduct a quick investigation aimed at confirming or dispelling the suspected activity. It’s stronger than a casual suspicion but weaker than probable cause needed for an arrest. If during the stop the officer gains more evidence that would amount to probable cause, an arrest can follow; if not, the person should be released. A detention based on reasonable suspicion must be limited in scope and duration to address the reason for the stop, rather than a broad fishing expedition. Show-ups and warrantless arrests involve different standards and procedures, and they’re not the baseline justifying a stop.