What is meant by investigative detention?

Investigative detention refers to the temporary seizure of a person based on reasonable suspicion. This legal concept allows law enforcement officers to briefly detain an individual if they have specific and articulable facts that lead them to believe that the person is involved in criminal activity. It is important to note that this detention is not the same as an arrest; it does not require the same level of probable cause and is intended to allow officers to investigate further to confirm or dispel their suspicions.

During investigative detention, the individual is not free to leave but is not formally charged with a crime. This procedure is essential for balancing the need for public safety with individual rights, allowing officers to act on their instincts without crossing into the more stringent requirements of a full arrest, which involves probable cause that a crime has been committed.

In contrast, seizing evidence for a criminal trial pertains to the collection of items that can be used in court, and arresting an individual requires a higher legal standard of evidence. Searching a vehicle without a warrant generally requires specific conditions and does not align directly with the principles of investigative detention.