What legal concept justifies the temporary detention of an individual during an investigatory stop?

The legal concept that justifies the temporary detention of an individual during an investigatory stop is reasonable suspicion. This standard is lower than probable cause and allows law enforcement officers to briefly detain a person if they have a reasonable belief, based on specific facts and circumstances, that the individual may be involved in criminal activity.

Reasonable suspicion is derived from the totality of the circumstances – meaning an officer may consider all available information, such as the behavior of the individual, the context of a situation, or information from a reliable source, to establish a belief that warrants further investigation. This principle is a critical part of the Fourth Amendment, which protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures, allowing for limited detentions that are deemed necessary for law enforcement to investigate possible crimes without violating constitutional rights.

In contrast, the exclusionary rule pertains to the inadmissibility of evidence obtained in violation of constitutional rights, due process focuses on fair legal procedures, and probable cause is the higher standard required for obtaining a warrant or making an arrest.