What did Florida v Royer establish regarding authorities' ability to detain individuals?

In Florida v. Royer, the U.S. Supreme Court established important guidelines regarding the limits of law enforcement's authority to detain individuals. The ruling clarified that while law enforcement officers do have the ability to conduct stops and detain individuals, they cannot do so solely based on behavior perceived as suspicious, without further justification.

This means that a mere hunch or generalized suspicion is insufficient for a lawful detention; there must be specific facts or circumstances that provide reasonable suspicion to believe that criminal activity is afoot. The decision reinforced the necessity for a balance between the police authority to investigate potential crimes and an individual's Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures. Thus, a detention that is justified only by vague or ambiguous behavior, without additional supporting facts or evidence, is deemed unlawful.

This foundational principle guides the conduct of law enforcement to ensure they respect constitutional rights while fulfilling their duties.