What provision allows for law enforcement officers to detain individuals under suspicion?

Gear up for the TCOLE Important Case Law Test. Study with interactive flashcards and multiple choice questions, with detailed hints and explanations to acing your exam!

The provision that allows law enforcement officers to detain individuals under suspicion is reasonable suspicion. This legal standard is less stringent than probable cause and enables officers to stop and briefly detain a person if they have a particularized and objective basis for suspecting that the individual may be involved in criminal activity.

Reasonable suspicion is often based on specific observations or facts that suggest a person is engaging in behavior that may be unlawful. It is an essential tool for law enforcement, as it provides the necessary authority to investigate further—such as through questioning or a limited search—without needing the higher threshold required for arrest or search warrants that come with probable cause.

The other options, such as probable cause, are used for making arrests and securing search warrants, but they require a higher level of certainty than reasonable suspicion. Confirmed evidence and witness testimony can support an investigation but do not themselves establish the standard for initial detention without further context.

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