The Graham v. Connor decision established which constitutional standard?

• A. Probable cause standard
• B. Reasonable suspicion standard
• C. 'Objective reasonableness' under the 4th Amendment
• D. Excessive force standard

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that police use of force is evaluated under an objective reasonableness standard under the Fourth Amendment. This means courts judge actions from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, using only the information that officer had at the time, rather than judging with the benefit of hindsight. The assessment weighs factors such as the seriousness of the crime, whether the suspect posed an immediate threat, and whether the person was actively resisting or attempting to flee. This standard recognizes the need for quick, on-the-spot decisions while still protecting constitutional rights. Graham v. Connor established this framework for determining whether a use of force was constitutionally permissible.