For an officer to justify an investigative stop of a citizen, what must they have?

For an officer to justify an investigative stop, they must have articulable facts to support their suspicions. This means that an officer needs to have specific, objective facts that can be articulated to indicate that criminal activity is afoot. This standard is based on the "reasonable suspicion" threshold, which is less than probable cause but requires more than just a vague feeling or intuition.

Articulable facts can include observations about a person's behavior, location, or other relevant information that, when taken together, create a reasonable belief that a law violation may be occurring. This requirement ensures that stops are based on concrete evidence rather than subjective opinions, maintaining accountability and protecting citizen rights.

While factors such as experience, instinct, or visual observations can play a role in an officer's decision-making, they are insufficient on their own to justify an investigative stop without the backing of articulable facts. The emphasis on objective criteria reinforces proper law enforcement practices and aids in safeguarding civil liberties.