Which level of suspicion permits seizure but not necessarily an arrest?

• A. Proof beyond reasonable certainty
• B. Reasonable suspicion (May seize)
• C. Reasonable certainty
• D. No suspicion

Answer: (B)

Reasonable suspicion is the level of justification that allows a brief seizure for investigation but not necessarily an arrest. It rests on specific, articulable facts together with the officer’s experience, evaluated under the totality of the circumstances. When reasonable suspicion exists, an officer may detain the person briefly to investigate or to ask questions and, in some contexts, conduct a limited frisk if there’s a concern for safety. However, this level of suspicion is not enough for an arrest; arrest requires probable cause, a higher standard based on stronger evidence that a crime is more likely than not being committed. Without any suspicion, a seizure would violate constitutional protections. The other described standards aren’t used for detaining someone, so they don’t fit the legal threshold for seizure.