What is the difference between a stop for reasonable suspicion and an arrest?

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The difference hinges on the level of suspicion and how long the detention lasts. A stop for reasonable suspicion is a brief, investigative seizure. It’s allowed when an officer has a reasonable belief that the person is involved in criminal activity, and the goal is to quickly check out the situation without turning into full custody. If the investigation gathers enough facts to show probable cause, the stop can escalate, but at its core, a stop is temporary and not an arrest.

An arrest, by contrast, detains a person with probable cause. That means there are sufficient facts to believe the person has committed a crime, and the detention is more formal and lasting, often leading to custody, booking, and further processing.

So the best answer captures that distinction: a stop is brief and investigative; an arrest detains with probable cause.