How is "reasonable suspicion" defined in criminal procedure?

"Reasonable suspicion" is defined in criminal procedure as a standard used to justify brief stops and searches. This standard is less stringent than probable cause and allows law enforcement officers to stop and question individuals or conduct limited searches if they have specific, articulable facts suggesting that a crime might be occurring. The concept of reasonable suspicion plays a crucial role in balancing the need for police to ensure public safety with the rights of individuals, ensuring that officers have a legitimate reason to make intrusions into personal freedoms.

In the context of brief stops, reasonable suspicion allows officers to act on observations, information from informants, or behaviors that suggest criminal activity is afoot, without requiring the higher threshold of probable cause necessary for arrests or obtaining search warrants. This legal standard is foundational in cases involving the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, thus shaping how law enforcement can engage with suspects in a way that still respects constitutional rights.