Is reasonable suspicion a higher or lower standard than probable cause?

Reasonable suspicion is indeed a lower standard than probable cause. In the context of law enforcement, reasonable suspicion refers to the belief that a law enforcement officer has, based on specific and articulable facts, that criminal activity is afoot. This standard permits officers to stop and briefly detain a person for investigative purposes—often referred to as a "Terry stop."

Probable cause, on the other hand, is a higher standard that requires more substantial evidence that a crime has been committed or that a specific individual is involved in criminal activity. Probable cause is necessary for obtaining search warrants or making arrests.

Thus, the distinction between the two standards is crucial for law enforcement procedures. The recognition that reasonable suspicion is a lower threshold allows officers to act on instinct and experience without requiring the comprehensive evidence needed for probable cause, which provides a foundational understanding of how officers can engage with potential criminal activity in a lawful and constitutional manner.