Which standard justifies initiating a routine traffic stop, and which standard justifies searching the vehicle?

• A. Reasonable suspicion justifies the stop; probable cause is required to conduct a search of the vehicle (with exceptions like the automobile exception).
• B. Reasonable suspicion justifies both the stop and the search.
• C. No standard is required to stop or search.
• D. Probable cause justifies the stop; reasonable suspicion is required to search the vehicle.

Answer: (A)

Stopping a vehicle is justified by reasonable suspicion that a traffic violation has occurred or is about to occur. Reasonable suspicion is a practical, non-technical standard based on the officer’s observations, enough to justify briefly stopping the car, even though it isn’t enough to arrest. Once the stop is underway, a search of the vehicle generally requires probable cause to believe that evidence of a crime is present in the vehicle. Probable cause means a fair probability, based on the total facts and circumstances, that contraband or evidence will be found there. There are recognized exceptions to this rule, such as the automobile exception, which allows a warrantless search if probable cause to believe the vehicle contains evidence exists and the vehicle is readily movable. So the correct pairing is: reasonable suspicion justifies the stop; probable cause is required to conduct a search of the vehicle, with exceptions like the automobile exception.