Prabable cause an reasonable suspicion Describe how the two concepts are similar and how they are different?

Answer 1

After reading the following definitions a discussion is not necessary. the differences, as set forth, are very clear.

Reasonable suspicion has been defined by the U.S. Supreme Court as, "the sort of common-sense conclusion about human behavior upon which practical people are entitled to rely." Further, it has defined reasonable suspicion as requiring something more than an "unarticulated hunch." It requires facts or circumstances that give rise to more than a bare, imaginary, or purely conjectural suspicion.

Probable cause is a standard used in justifying certain police actions. For example, police need to have probable cause to believe that a crime has occurred, or evidence of a crime exists, in order to make an arrest or request a warrant be issued. It is more than mere suspicion but less than the amount of evidence required for conviction.

For instance: An officer on patrol on the midnight shift finds someone in a dark alley behind a closed business carrying a large screwdriver, (REASONSABLE SUSPICION) and detains him for questioning. Upon further examination of the business premises he finds a window jimmied open by some kind of tool. (PROBABLE CAUSE to make the arrest of the stopped individual).