Which statement about Graham v. Connor factors is correct?

• A. Immediate threat, severity of crime, flight, and resistance are factors.
• B. Only the suspect's past crimes matter
• C. The time of day determines reasonableness
• D. Weather patterns influence outcomes

Answer: (A)

Reasonableness of force under the Fourth Amendment is judged by the totality of the circumstances at the moment of the seizure, using the Graham v. Connor framework. The essential factors ask: is the suspect posing an immediate threat to the officer or others, how severe is the alleged crime, and is the suspect actively resisting or attempting to flee? The option in question matches this framework by listing immediate threat, severity of the crime, flight, and resistance. It captures the authority’s risk assessment and the suspect’s behavior during the arrest, which are the elements courts weigh to determine if the force used was reasonable. Choices that focus on time of day, weather, or past crimes don’t address how reasonable force is judged in the moment and aren’t part of Graham v. Connor’s factors.