How does the concept of "reasonable suspicion" differ from "probable cause"?

The concept of "reasonable suspicion" is indeed linked to temporary detentions and operates at a lower standard of proof compared to "probable cause." Reasonable suspicion arises when an officer has specific and articulable facts that suggest a person may be engaged in criminal activity. This standard is sufficient to justify brief stops and investigations, such as a stop-and-frisk situation, where the officer needs only to have a reasonable belief based on the circumstances at hand.

On the other hand, probable cause is a higher standard that is necessary for obtaining a warrant or making an arrest. It requires a greater amount of evidence that leads a reasonable person to conclude that a crime has been committed or that evidence of a crime can be found in the place to be searched. Therefore, the distinction in these standards is significant: the lower threshold of reasonable suspicion allows law enforcement to act quickly based on intuition backed by specific observations, while probable cause demands more substantiation of evidence before taking action such as arresting an individual or conducting a search.