When stopping a vehicle, what level of suspicion do officers require?

When an officer stops a vehicle, the standard required is reasonable suspicion. This level of suspicion allows law enforcement to briefly detain an individual based on specific and articulable facts that something may be wrong. It does not require the certainty of guilt that comes with probable cause, which is necessary for an arrest or a search warrant. Reasonable suspicion is based on the officer's observations, experiences, and common sense, allowing for an investigative stop to occur when the officer believes criminal activity might be afoot.

The other options represent higher thresholds of proof not needed at this point in the investigative process. Beyond a reasonable doubt is the standard used in criminal trials, while clear and convincing evidence is typically utilized in civil cases. Probable cause is indeed a necessary requirement for making an arrest or conducting a more intrusive search, but for a simple traffic stop, reasonable suspicion suffices to justify the initial encounter.