What standard must a law enforcement officer meet to lawfully stop a vehicle?

To lawfully stop a vehicle, a law enforcement officer must meet the standard of reasonable articulable suspicion. This means that the officer must have a specific and objective basis for believing that a crime is, was, or will be occurring. This standard is less stringent than probable cause, which is necessary for more invasive actions, such as arrests or searching a vehicle. Reasonable articulable suspicion allows officers to act swiftly in preventing potential criminal activity based on the totality of the circumstances they observe.

This standard is important in protecting citizens’ rights while still allowing law enforcement to address suspicious behavior effectively. It requires officers to be able to explain their observations and reasoning, which provides transparency and accountability in their actions during vehicle stops.