What does reasonable suspicion require compared to probable cause?

Reasonable suspicion is a legal standard used in criminal procedure that requires less evidence than probable cause. It is based on specific and articulable facts, together with rational inferences from those facts, that would lead a reasonable police officer to suspect that a particular person is involved in criminal activity. This standard allows law enforcement to initiate brief investigative stops, known as Terry stops, without the higher threshold of probable cause.

In contrast, probable cause requires a higher standard of evidence, where law enforcement must have enough facts and circumstances to warrant a reasonable person to believe that a crime has been committed or that evidence of a crime can be found in a specific location. Hence, the distinction lies in the level of certainty required; reasonable suspicion is based on a lower standard of evidence than probable cause, enabling officers to act on their instincts and observations in situations where immediate action may be necessary to prevent crime or ensure safety.