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To: RS

As one example of what is considered reasonable suspicion, if I am a police officer and I am patrolling a high-crime area, and someone sees my police cruiser and runs away, that is "reasonable suspicion".

I am allowed at that point to chase and then frisk the person once I have caught them. Any evidence found at that point will stand up in court. I suppose with the Virginia law at this point I can detain the suspect while I confirm with the feds whether they are an illegal alien with a felony conviction.

If they do not run away and I instead speak with them and ask them questions--if their answers are inconsistent or they "keep changing their story" (as many criminals seem to do...perhaps not bright enough to keep a consistent lie going??), that is also reasonable suspicion and I can frisk them.


130 posted on 08/29/2004 2:27:50 PM PDT by brianl703 (Border crossing is a misdemeanor. So is drunk driving. Which do we have more checkpoints for?)
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To: brianl703

Thanks for the insight -

Unfortunately, "reasonable suspicion" might also include saying "no" if a cop asks if he can search your car -


131 posted on 08/29/2004 2:50:49 PM PDT by RS (Just because the SwiftVets are out to get him doesn't mean he's not guilty)
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