Illinois v. Wardlow Reasonable Suspicion

Illinois v. Wardlow

Reasonable Suspicion

Wardlows act of fleeing when officers made "contact" was enough reason for them to give chase. The contact part was in question because there was no official lawful request given by the officers, just eyecontact that resulted in Wardlow fleeing.

Evasion/Noncooperation

Nervous Behavior

In this case, the observable behavior was Wardlow's unprovoked flight upon seeing police officers in a high-crime area known for narcotics trafficking. The act of fleeing from law enforcement is considered evasive behavior and can contribute to reasonable suspicion.

Officer Experince and Training

The officers' experience and knowledge of the area being a high-crime location likely influenced their perception of Wardlow's behavior. Their familiarity with patterns of criminal activity in the neighborhood could be a factor in determining reasonable suspicion. The act of fleeing made them question Wardlow's intents.

Time/Place

The incident occurred in a high-crime area, which was a relevant factor in the Court's decision. Being in an area known for criminal activity can contribute to the overall assessment of reasonable suspicion.

Criminal Activity

Wardlow was not accused of any crimes, but subsequently after he was apprehended by police after giving chase, he was charged with possession of a firearm.

Description of Suspect

While Wardlow himself did not match the description of a suspect in a specific crime, the Court considered his behavior in conjunction with the overall circumstances rather than relying solely on matching a physical description.