Which statement defines reasonable articulable suspicion?

• A. More than a gut feeling and indicates a substantial possibility that a crime has occurred, is occurring, or is about to occur.
• B. Only a hunch with no factual basis.
• C. Proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
• D. Certainty of guilt.

Answer: (A)

Reasonable articulable suspicion is the standard that allows police to stop someone. It requires specific facts and rational inferences from those facts that a reasonable person would rely on to believe criminal activity is afoot. The described idea fits this: it is more than a gut feeling and points to a substantial possibility that a crime has occurred, is occurring, or is about to occur, and it can be stated with factual basis. The other options rely on concepts that are weaker (a mere hunch with no facts) or stronger (proof beyond a reasonable doubt, certainty of guilt) than what is allowed for a stop. This is why the described statement is the correct one.