In police searches, what are "reasonable grounds"?

The concept of "reasonable grounds" in the context of police searches is focused on the belief that there is factual basis for suspecting that a crime has been committed or is about to be committed. This standard requires that an officer have specific, articulable facts that would lead a reasonable person to conclude that there is a legitimate basis for a search or a warrant—essentially, a belief that is supported by the circumstances at hand, rather than just a hunch or gut feeling.

When assessing reasonable grounds, officers must rely on objective information such as observations, credible reports, or evidence that supports their belief. This sets a higher standard than mere suspicion, as suspicion alone does not provide a solid foundation for taking action that might infringe on an individual's rights. Therefore, the answer speaks directly to the legal threshold necessary to conduct searches, ensuring that there is justifiable cause based on actual evidence rather than subjective impressions.

The other options do not align with this standard: mere suspicion does not rise to the level necessary for searches; reasonable grounds are not restricted only to serious crimes; and a subjective feeling does not constitute an adequate basis for legal action in law enforcement.