Reasonable Suspicion, which is based on the totality of circumstances and is less burdensome than Probable Cause, permits a temporary investigative stop when there is a reasonable articulable suspicion of criminal activity. It can be founded on the testimony of a witness, and it is distinct from a preliminary hearing, grand jury indictment or a motion to suppress evidence because they use different standards of proof.
In the broad context of criminal law, Reasonable Suspicion is based upon the totality of the circumstances and is less of a burden than Probable Cause. Reasonable suspicion is a legal standard of proof in United States law that is less than probable cause, which is required for arrest and search warrants. It requires that a police officer have a reasonable articulable suspicion that criminal activity is afoot, and it permits the officer to temporarily detain a person for an investigative stop.
For instance, when obtaining a search warrant, the testimony of a witness may be used to cite reasonable suspicion. This differs from a preliminary hearing, grand jury indictment, or a motion to suppress evidence which use varying standards of proof and typically rely on testimonies from police officers, victims, or the accused respectively.
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