CRJ 325 SU Wk 3 Reasonable Suspicion vs Probable Cause in Criminal Activity Discussion

Week 3 Assignment – Reasonable Suspicion Versus Probable Cause

Overview

Law enforcement officers use two methods to investigate possible
criminal activity: reasonable suspicion and probable cause. Reasonable
suspicion means officers have a reasonable belief, sometimes called a
hunch, that criminal activity may have occurred. They have no hard
evidence to support their belief. Probable cause is more concrete.
Probable cause means officers are not just suspicious that criminal
activity has occurred; they think it’s likely, or probable, that
criminal activity has taken place. Many times reasonable suspicion may
evolve into probable cause. This is not always the case, however.
Initial contact between an officer and a subject often involves
reasonable suspicion rather than probable cause.

This is a two-part assignment. Be sure to complete both parts.

Instructions

Part 1

In Part 1 of this assignment you are required to write a one- to two-page narrative in which you:

• Distinguish between reasonable suspicion and probable cause.
  • Be sure to illustrate your distinctions between these two terms with examples.
• Develop a checklist with a series of questions to ask when
  assessing reasonable suspicion Versus probably cause (for example, What
  drew your attention to this particular person?).

Part 2

In Part 2 of this assignment, you are required to examine the 10 scenarios contained in the Reasonable Suspicion Versus Probable Cause Template [DOCX].

• Note: The first scenario is completed for you as an example to guide your work on the remaining nine scenarios.

For each scenario in the template:

1. Determine whether reasonable suspicion or probable cause applies to each scenario.
2. Justify your determinations.
3. Use three sources to support your writing.
   • Choose sources that are credible, relevant, and appropriate.
   • Cite each source listed on your source page at least one time within your assignment.
   • For help with research, writing, and citation, access the library or review library guides.
   • You may use your textbook as one of your resources.

Important: Be sure to submit your one- to two-page narrative and the completed Reasonable Suspicion Versus Probable Cause Template to the assignment submission area.

Formatting

This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards. For
assistance and information, please refer to the Strayer Writing
Standards link in the left-hand menu of your course. Check with your
professor for any additional instructions. Note the following:

• The preferred method is for your narrative on reasonable
  suspicion versus probable cause to be typed, double-spaced, using Times
  New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides. The
  Reasonable Suspicion Versus Probable Cause Template may be
  single-spaced.
• Include a cover page containing the assignment title, your
  name, your professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover
  page is not included in the required page length.
• Include a source list page. Citations and references must
  follow SWS format. The source list page is not included in the required
  page length.