More than a hunch, and must be based on articulated circumstances, but is less than probable cause necessary to affect an arrest
Reasonable suspicion
The legal term that describes a situation where the evidence is more than a hunch, but less than the probable cause necessary to affect an arrest is known as “reasonable suspicion.”
Reasonable suspicion is a standard of proof used by law enforcement officers to justify a limited search or detention of an individual. In order to establish reasonable suspicion, the officer must be able to articulate specific facts and circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe that criminal activity may be afoot.
These specific facts and circumstances could include observations of criminal behavior, matching a suspect description, presence in a high-crime area, suspicious behavior or movement, or other information that provides a reasonable inference of criminal activity.
It’s important to note that reasonable suspicion is not the same as probable cause. Probable cause is a higher standard of proof and involves a reasonable belief that a crime has been committed, and that the person to be arrested committed it.
In summary, reasonable suspicion is a legal standard that falls between a hunch and probable cause, and it is an essential requirement for officers to conduct a limited search or detention of an individual.
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