Which of the following describes reasonable suspicion?

Reasonable suspicion is defined as a standard used in the criminal justice system that allows law enforcement to briefly detain a person for investigative purposes if they have a particular set of facts or circumstances that would lead a reasonable person to believe that a crime is occurring or is about to occur. This belief does not need to meet the standard of proof required for an arrest, which is a higher threshold known as probable cause.

The choice that describes reasonable suspicion correctly emphasizes a general belief that a crime is either in progress or about to happen, rather than confirming that a specific crime has been committed or being based solely on an assumption or hearsay. This makes it a critical standard for police officers when assessing situations in real time and deciding whether to stop, question, or search a person. It's worth noting that reasonable suspicion is based on articulate facts, observations, and experience, which distinguishes it from mere speculation or general assumptions.