What is the standard of proof required to conduct a traffic stop?

The standard of proof required to conduct a traffic stop is reasonable suspicion. This standard is lower than probable cause and allows law enforcement officers to make a stop based on specific and articulable facts that suggest a traffic violation or criminal activity may be occurring.

Reasonable suspicion does not require the same level of certainty as probable cause; instead, it relies on the officer’s experience and the situation at hand. This means that if a law enforcement officer observes something unusual or has received information that raises suspicions, they are authorized to pull over a vehicle to further investigate the circumstances.

Other standards of proof, such as clear and convincing evidence or preponderance of evidence, are applicable in different legal contexts, such as civil cases or certain criminal proceedings, but they do not apply to the initiation of a traffic stop. In essence, reasonable suspicion strikes a balance between the necessity for officers to take action based on observable facts and the rights of individuals to be free from arbitrary intrusion.