What does reasonable suspicion indicate?

Reasonable suspicion indicates a standard used in the field of law enforcement and criminal justice, representing a belief based on specific facts or circumstances that suggest a person may be involved in criminal activity. This concept allows officers to take appropriate action—such as stopping and questioning individuals—when they have more than just a vague hunch or unparticular feeling about someone's potential wrongdoing.

The key aspect of reasonable suspicion is that it is grounded in observable behavior or credible information that creates a logical inference of a law violation, thus differentiating it from mere conjecture or unfounded assumptions. This distinction enables law enforcement to engage with individuals in a manner that is both proactive and respectful of constitutional rights while maintaining public safety.