Is the standard for determining reasonable suspicion the same under federal and CT constitutions?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. It varies by case
• D. Only with consent

Answer: (A)

Reasonable suspicion for a stop is an objective, specific basis found in the totality of the circumstances that would lead a reasonable officer to believe criminal activity is afoot. That Terry v. Ohio framework is applied in Connecticut in much the same way as it is under the federal Fourth Amendment. Connecticut’s constitution provides protections against unreasonable searches and seizures that align with that same baseline, and state courts typically use the federal standard as the starting point for evaluating stops. The twist is that Connecticut can offer greater protection in some contexts, but it does not lower the threshold for what justifies a stop. So, for determining reasonable suspicion, the standard is the same under both the federal and CT constitutions.