Reasonable suspicion requires what type of facts?

• A. A mere hunch
• B. A blurry observation
• C. Specific, articulable facts; belief that criminal activity is afoot and a person is linked
• D. A legal conclusion from a witness

Answer: (C)

Reasonable suspicion rests on specific, articulable facts that, taken together with reasonable inferences, would lead a prudent officer to believe that criminal activity may be afoot and that the person is connected to it. This requires details you can actually describe and justify, not a gut feeling or vague impression. A mere hunch or a blurry, indefinite observation doesn’t provide the concrete basis needed to justify a stop. Likewise, a witness offering a legal conclusion rather than listing observable facts isn’t the kind of basis used to support reasonable suspicion. The essence is facts you can specify and explain, plus the reasonable inference that crime is occurring and that the person is linked to it.