What is the legal term for the degree of proof required to conduct a stop and frisk?

The degree of proof required to conduct a stop and frisk is referred to as "Reasonable Suspicion." This legal standard is essential in the context of law enforcement interactions and specifically allows officers to temporarily detain an individual for investigation when they have a specific, articulable reason to suspect that the person is involved in criminal activity.

Reasonable suspicion is a lower threshold than probable cause. It does not require evidence that would lead a reasonable person to believe that a crime has been committed, a requirement known as probable cause, which is necessary for arrests or obtaining search warrants. Instead, reasonable suspicion takes into account the totality of circumstances and relies on the officer's experience, training, and the observations made at the time of the encounter. This standard is critical for allowing officers to initiate stops and ensure public safety while balancing individual rights.

The other standards of proof—beyond a reasonable doubt, which pertains to criminal convictions, and preponderance of evidence, used in civil cases—do not apply in the context of stop and frisk situations.