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Compare and contrast reasonable suspicion and probable cause.

A. Reasonable suspicion requires specific and articulable facts, while probable cause demands more evidence.

B. Reasonable suspicion is necessary for an arrest, while probable cause is needed for a search warrant.

C. Reasonable suspicion is a lower standard than probable cause.

D. Reasonable suspicion can be based on hunches, while probable cause needs concrete evidence.

Answer :

Final answer:

Reasonable suspicion is a lower legal standard than probable cause, required for brief stops and frisks, while probable cause necessitates more evidence and is needed for obtaining search and arrest warrants. So, the correct option is C. Reasonable suspicion is a lower standard than probable cause.

Explanation:

Comparing and contrasting reasonable suspicion and probable cause involves understanding the differing legal standards they represent. Reasonable suspicion is a lower standard, which requires specific and articulable facts suggesting that a person is involved in criminal activity, allowing for brief stops and frisks as determined in Terry v. Ohio. Probable cause, a higher threshold, requires more evidence and is needed to obtain warrants for searches and arrests. It indicates that there is a fair probability that a crime has been committed or that evidence of a crime can be found.