What is a key characteristic of reasonable suspicion?

Reasonable suspicion is a legal standard used in the context of law enforcement and investigative procedures, particularly concerning stops and searches. The key characteristic of reasonable suspicion is that it must be tied to observable facts and behaviors. This means that law enforcement officers need specific and articulable facts that lead them to believe that a person may be involved in criminal activity. It is not enough to have a hunch or an unsubstantiated belief; the suspicion must be rooted in concrete observations.

For instance, if an officer observes someone engaging in behaviors that are consistent with drug dealing or sees an individual loitering in a high-crime area while frequently looking around nervously, these observations can contribute to reasonable suspicion. This standard is less than the probable cause standard required for obtaining a warrant or making an arrest, but it still requires a factual basis.

The other options do not accurately reflect the nature of reasonable suspicion. It does not rely on assumptions without evidence, does not require formal charges to be filed, and while it can sometimes incorporate hearsay, it must still have a basis in observable facts to meet the legal threshold of reasonable suspicion.