A combination of facts and circumstances that would justify a reasonable officer to believe a person has committed, is committing, or is about to commit a criminal act, but is less than probable cause?

• A. Reasonable Suspicion
• B. Probable Cause
• C. Hunch
• D. Precedent

Answer: (A)

Reasonable suspicion is the standard that lets an officer briefly stop and investigate when there are specific, articulable facts that would lead a reasonable person to believe criminal activity is afoot, though the situation does not rise to the level of probable cause. The scenario describes a mix of facts and circumstances that would make a reasonable officer think a crime has been, is being, or is about to be committed, but not enough to arrest or conduct a full search. This standard comes from the idea that police can take a short, investigatory step based on observable factors, not a mere hunch or guess. It’s not a hunch, which would rely on instinct without explicit supporting facts; it’s also not probable cause, which would be needed to arrest or obtain a search warrant. The reference to “less than probable cause” and the need for specific, observable elements point to reasonable suspicion as the best fit.