A stop-and-frisk is permissible when an officer has what?

• A. A hunch
• B. Probable cause
• C. Reasonable suspicion
• D. Beyond a reasonable doubt

Answer: (C)

Reasonable suspicion is the threshold that justifies a stop-and-frisk. It requires specific, articulable facts or circumstances that would lead a reasonable officer to believe the person is involved in criminal activity and may be armed. It sits between a mere hunch and probable cause, which is needed for an arrest or full search. Beyond a reasonable doubt is the standard for convicting someone at trial. So a stop-and-frisk is permissible when the officer has concrete observations or facts—such as suspicious behavior, proximity to a crime scene, or a match to a description—that make a reasonable person fear for safety and justify briefly detaining and patting down for weapons.