What is essential to have when stopping a vehicle?

When stopping a vehicle, it is essential to have reasonable articulable suspicion. This principle is crucial because it provides law enforcement officers with the legal justification necessary to initiate a stop. Reasonable articulable suspicion means that the officer has specific and articulable facts that lead them to reasonably suspect that the person is involved in criminal activity or that a traffic violation has occurred.

This standard is lower than the probable cause required for arrest but is necessary to ensure that the stop is both lawful and justified. Without this level of suspicion, a stop can be deemed unlawful, potentially violating the rights of the individual being stopped.

The need for reasonable articulable suspicion is grounded in the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. Therefore, this requirement safeguards individual rights while allowing officers to perform their duties effectively to maintain public safety.