In the four levels of police intrusion, which level corresponds to the Common law right of inquiry?

• A. Basic Questioning
• B. Common law right of inquiry
• C. Stop, Question & Frisk
• D. Arrest with probable cause

Answer: (B)

These four levels describe how far an officer may go in interacting with a civilian without an arrest. The level defined as the common law right of inquiry is the point where an officer may approach in public and ask questions to determine whether the person is involved in criminal activity. It is non-detentive—the person is free to walk away or decline to answer—and it does not amount to a seizure. This level sits below a stop-and-frisk (which requires reasonable suspicion) and well below an arrest with probable cause. So the level that corresponds to the common law right of inquiry is the one described by that exact right itself.