What is required to prove "reasonable articulable suspicion"?

To establish "reasonable articulable suspicion," law enforcement officers must have a clear and specific reason to believe that a person is involved in criminal activity. This standard is higher than a mere hunch or gut feeling, as it requires officers to point to specific facts or circumstances that lead them to suspect that a crime may be afoot. Reasonable articulable suspicion must be based on the totality of circumstances, including observed behavior, the context in which it occurs, and any relevant training or experience the officer possesses.

This standard is crucial because it protects citizens from arbitrary detainment or searches while allowing law enforcement to take proactive measures when there is credible, founded suspicion of criminal activity. In practice, this means that police officers need to articulate their reasoning based on observable facts and conditions rather than relying on vague feelings or assumptions.