A suspicion based on specific facts; less than probable cause.

• A. Probable cause
• B. Reasonable suspicion
• C. Warrant
• D. No-knock warrant

Answer: (B)

Reasonable suspicion is the level of justification that sits between a mere hunch and probable cause. It means a police officer has specific, articulable facts and circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe that criminal activity is afoot. It’s enough to justify brief investigative actions like a stop and, in certain cases, a limited frisk, but not enough to arrest someone or conduct a full search. Importantly, those facts must be objective and explainable to others, not based on a general suspicion or stereotypes.

Probable cause would justify an arrest or a search warrant, which is a higher standard than what’s described here. A warrant itself is a court-issued order based on probable cause, not on mere suspicion. A no-knock warrant is simply a type of warrant granted under exigent circumstances; it’s not the basic standard of suspicion being described.