What is the standard of proof required to conduct a Terry Stop?

The standard of proof required to conduct a Terry Stop is "reasonable suspicion." This principle is rooted in the Terry v. Ohio case, which established that law enforcement officers may briefly detain a person for investigative purposes if they have a reasonable suspicion that the person is involved in criminal activity. Reasonable suspicion is a lower standard than probable cause, meaning that officers must have specific and articulable facts, combined with rational inferences from those facts, that lead them to suspect that criminal activity is afoot.

This standard allows officers to act proactively to prevent crime, while still providing protection against arbitrary stops and searches. The necessity for reasonable suspicion strikes a balance between individual rights and the need for public safety in dynamic situations. Other standards mentioned, such as probable cause and beyond a reasonable doubt, are reserved for more serious actions such as arrests and convictions, respectively, and are not applicable in the context of a Terry Stop. Preponderance of evidence relates to civil cases and is not relevant in this scenario either.