What does reasonable suspicion involve?

Reasonable suspicion involves specific facts or circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to suspect that a crime has been, is being, or will be committed. Law enforcement officers use reasonable suspicion as a legal standard required to justify brief stops and investigative detentions, such as a stop-and-frisk. This standard is based on the totality of the circumstances and requires more than mere intuition or vague suspicions.

In contrast to a simple hunch, reasonable suspicion must be grounded in observable behaviors or known facts that suggest criminal activity. This distinguishes it from a general belief about someone or information from anonymous sources, which may lack the concrete evidence necessary to establish a legitimate suspicion in a legal context. Thus, it is essential that officers document and articulate the specific reasons for their belief that raises reasonable suspicion, ensuring their actions comply with legal standards.