Answer :
Final answer:
To initiate a traffic stop, the legal standard that must be met is reasonable suspicion. This standard allows officers to stop individuals if there is specific evidence suggesting criminal activity is occurring or about to occur. Unlike probable cause, which is a higher threshold for searches and arrests, reasonable suspicion requires less evidence.
Explanation:
Legal Standards for Traffic Stops
To initiate a traffic stop, law enforcement officers must meet the legal standard of reasonable suspicion. This standard is established when an officer has specific and articulable facts that lead them to believe that a person is involved in criminal activity. This ruling is based on the Terry v. Ohio case from 1968, where the Supreme Court determined that police may stop and frisk individuals if they have reasonable suspicion of ongoing or imminent criminal activity.
In contrast, probable cause is a higher standard than reasonable suspicion and is generally required for issuing warrants or making arrests. Therefore, the correct answer to your question is:
- c. Reasonable suspicion
This distinction is essential for understanding the legal framework within which law enforcement operates and emphasizes the balance between individual rights and public safety.
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