What is the difference between probable cause and reasonable suspicion?

Probable cause and reasonable suspicion are two legal standards used to establish whether or not the police have the right to search an individual or property for evidence. Probable cause is the legal standard used when the police want to make an arrest, issue a search warrant, or search someone’s property without a warrant. In Rhode Island, the police must be able to provide evidence that clearly demonstrates that there are circumstances beyond a mere suspicion of criminal activity for an arrest to be made. This evidence must indicate that it is more likely than not that a crime has been committed and that the accused is responsible. Reasonable suspicion is a lower legal standard than probable cause and is used by the police to justify a brief search, an investigative stop, or any other type of inconvenience. In Rhode Island, the police do not need to provide evidence to prove that it is more likely than not that a crime has been committed. They only need to provide some facts that indicate that criminal activity is afoot. This means that officers do not need as much evidence as they would need to show probable cause for an arrest or search.

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What is the difference between probable cause and reasonable suspicion?

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