What type of suspicion is based upon the totality of the circumstances and carries a lighter burden than probable cause?

Reasonable suspicion is a legal standard that allows law enforcement officers to briefly stop and question a person if they have a particularized and objective basis for suspecting that the person is involved in criminal activity. This concept is grounded in the totality of the circumstances, meaning that the officer must consider all factors present at the time of the encounter, rather than relying on a single piece of evidence.

Reasonable suspicion requires a lower threshold than probable cause, which is needed to obtain a search warrant or make an arrest. The distinction is important because it allows officers to act on their instincts and observations when they believe a situation may escalate or that criminal activity is afoot, without needing the stronger evidence required for probable cause. Thus, reasonable suspicion enables proactive policing while respecting individuals’ rights until further evidence is gathered.