A frisk may be justified if there is _____ that the suspect may be armed.

The correct answer is based on the legal standard known as "reasonable suspicion," which allows a peace officer to conduct a frisk or pat-down of a suspect if they have specific and articulable facts that suggest the individual may be armed and potentially dangerous. This standard is lower than probable cause, which is required to make an arrest or conduct a search. Reasonable suspicion allows officers to act on their training and experience to ensure their safety and the safety of others while investigating potential criminal behavior.

In the context of a frisk, reasonable suspicion means that an officer must have a belief grounded in the totality of the circumstances that the suspect may possess a weapon. It is not merely a hunch but must be based on observable facts or behaviors indicating that a weapon might be present.

Using terms like "reasonable fear" or "clear evidence" implies a subjective interpretation or a higher burden of proof than what is effectively needed for a frisk, which is primarily based on what the officer can reasonably suspect rather than what can be definitively proved. Thus, the proper legal framework for justifying a frisk centers on reasonable suspicion, making it the appropriate choice in this scenario.