Reasonable Suspicion Probable Cause Legal Standards
Reasonable suspicion is the legal standard for detention and a traffic stop. Probable cause is the legal standard for a traffic stop. Reasonable suspicion for a stop is a less demanding standard than probable cause not only in the sense that reasonable suspicion can be established with information that is different in quantity or content than that required to establish probable cause, but also in the sense that reasonable suspicion can arise from information that is less reliable than that required to show probable cause. Baptiste v. State, 995 So. 2d 285 (Fla. 2008). The standards for reasonable suspicion have been interpreted by the Supreme Court. States can provide additional protection but cannot provide less protection than that allowed by the federal constitution.
This site is intended to provide legal information about the legal standard for reasonable suspicion and legal standard for probable cause. Reasonable suspicion is the required standard for a traffic stop or detention. Probable cause is the legal standard for arrest or to obtain a search warrant. A page on this site will be dedicated to each legal standard. This site is for informational purposes and if you or someone you know is in need of legal advice an experienced criminal defense attorney should be contacted as soon as possible. The information on this site is provided by Daytona Beach DUI attorney Kevin J. Pitts. Attorney Kevin J. Pitts has gained experience with the reasonable suspicion and probable cause standards as a former prosecutor and Florida defense attorney.
Reasonable Suspicion for a traffic stop Probable Cause for arrest Reasonable Suspicion for field sobriety exercises Reasonable Suspicion for detention.