What constitutes "reasonable suspicion" as defined by Texas law?

"Reasonable suspicion" is a legal standard employed in Texas law that allows law enforcement officers to stop and briefly detain an individual when they have specific, articulable facts indicating that criminal activity may be afoot. This standard is not as high as "probable cause," which requires a higher level of certainty that a crime has been committed or is about to be committed.

The distinction lies mainly in the nature and clarity of the evidence available to law enforcement. Reasonable suspicion can be based on a range of factors, including observations, information from informants, or the officer's personal experience. It allows for brief investigatory stops, known as Terry stops, where the officer can question the individual or perform a limited search for weapons if there are safety concerns.

Acknowledging these characteristics, it's evident that the second choice accurately reflects the appropriate application and definition of reasonable suspicion within the context of Texas law, emphasizing its purpose of facilitating brief stops and searches based on suspicious behavior rather than concrete evidence of a crime.