What concept describes reasonable suspicion that a person is committing or about to commit a violation?

The concept that describes reasonable suspicion that a person is committing or about to commit a violation is known as a Terry Stop. This term originates from the U.S. Supreme Court case Terry v. Ohio, which established that a law enforcement officer can stop and temporarily detain an individual based on reasonable suspicion that the person may be involved in criminal activity.

The key component here is reasonable suspicion, which is a lower standard than probable cause. It allows police officers to act on their observations, experience, and the totality of the circumstances to investigate further, often by conducting a brief investigative stop. During a Terry Stop, officers may also conduct a frisk for weapons if they have a reasonable belief that the individual may be armed and dangerous, but this action must be based on their reasonable suspicion.

This concept is pivotal in law enforcement as it provides the legal basis for officers to initiate contact with individuals suspected of wrongdoing, balancing the need for public safety with individual rights. Other options, while related to law enforcement practices, do not specifically define the principle of reasonable suspicion.