Reasonable suspicion and probable cause are two legal standards that justify different levels of police intrusion, but they often need clarification.
Reasonable suspicion is a lower standard than probable cause.
Reasonable suspicion allows police to stop and briefly detain someone for questioning, or to conduct a limited search, such as a pat-down for weapons.
Probable cause is a higher standard. It requires sufficient facts or evidence to lead a reasonable person to conclude that a crime has been or is being committed.
Probable cause allows police to make an arrest, obtain a search warrant, or conduct a more thorough search.
The main difference is the level of certainty required.
If an officer sees someone acting suspiciously near a closed business late at night, they may have reasonable suspicion to stop and question the individual.
The officer can only arrest the person or search their belongings if they develop probable cause during the encounter, such as finding burglary tools or stolen property.