The burden of proof for the detention of a suspect from law enforcement (stopping them to investigate) is what?

• A. Reasonable Suspicion
• B. Probable Cause
• C. Beyond a reasonable doubt
• D. Preponderance of the evidence

Answer: (A)

Reasonable suspicion is the burden of proof for an investigative detention. It requires specific, articulable facts and rational inferences from those facts that would lead a reasonable officer to believe that the person is involved in or about to be involved in criminal activity. It’s more than a mere hunch but less than probable cause. This standard, rooted in Terry v. Ohio, lets police briefly stop and question someone and, in some cases, perform a limited frisk if there’s a credible risk of danger. The stop must be narrowly tailored to the investigation in scope and duration. By comparison, probable cause is needed to arrest or search, beyond a reasonable doubt is the standard for proving guilt in court, and preponderance of the evidence is the civil standard of proof.