Graham v. Connor established which standard for evaluating excessive force claims?

• A. Reasonableness under the Fourth Amendment
• B. Probable cause
• C. Due process
• D. Miranda rights

Answer: (A)

Graham v. Connor establishes the standard as objective reasonableness under the Fourth Amendment. The Supreme Court said the proper test is what a reasonable officer on the scene would have done, given the information available at the moment, not how the situation looks with hindsight. This assessment uses the totality of circumstances, including the seriousness of the crime, whether the suspect posed an immediate threat, and whether the person was resisting or attempting to flee. The key is an on-the-scene, reasonable-officer perspective, balancing the need to protect the officer and the public with the suspect’s rights. The other options don’t fit: probable cause relates to justification for arrests or searches, due process concerns fair treatment in proceedings, and Miranda rights govern warnings during custodial interrogation.