Reasonable suspicion allows officers to do which of the following?

Reasonable suspicion allows officers to do which of the following?

• A. Stop And Question A Person
• B. Arrest A Person Without Probable Cause
• C. Search A Vehicle Without Consent
• D. Detain Someone For 24 Hours Without Cause

Answer: (A)

Reasonable suspicion is the threshold that lets an officer briefly stop and question a person who is suspected of involvement in criminal activity. It must be based on specific, articulable facts—not a mere hunch—and is used to quickly determine whether there is probable cause for arrest or other investigation. The stop is limited in time and scope; the officer may ask questions and briefly screen for safety, but it does not authorize arrest without probable cause, nor a search of a vehicle without consent or probable cause, and it should not be used to detain someone for an extended period such as 24 hours without cause. Because stopping and questioning a person is exactly the type of action allowed under reasonable suspicion, it is the best choice.

Reasonable suspicion is the threshold that lets an officer briefly stop and question a person who is suspected of involvement in criminal activity. It must be based on specific, articulable facts—not a mere hunch—and is used to quickly determine whether there is probable cause for arrest or other investigation. The stop is limited in time and scope; the officer may ask questions and briefly screen for safety, but it does not authorize arrest without probable cause, nor a search of a vehicle without consent or probable cause, and it should not be used to detain someone for an extended period such as 24 hours without cause. Because stopping and questioning a person is exactly the type of action allowed under reasonable suspicion, it is the best choice.