State v. Anderson

The issue presented is whether an individual's flight upon seeing the police is suspicious behavior sufficient in and of itself to justify a temporary investigative stop by the police. The State of Wisconsin (State) seeks review, arguing that flight from the police is sufficient to justify a stop. Because we conclude that flight from the police is a strong indication of "mens rea," i.e. a guilty mind or a guilty purpose, we conclude that behavior which evinces in the mind of a reasonable police officer an intent to flee from the police is suspicious behavior sufficient to justify a temporary…