How is investigative detention characterized?

Investigative detention is characterized as the temporary restraint of a person's freedom. This type of detention allows law enforcement officers to stop and briefly detain an individual when there is reasonable suspicion that the individual is involved in criminal activity. The key aspect of investigative detention is that it is not an arrest and does not require probable cause; rather, it is a limited and focused encounter aimed at assessing the situation.

During this period, officers are permitted to ask questions or request identification, but the detention itself is brief and should not extend beyond what is necessary to confirm or dispel the officer's suspicion. The individual's rights must still be respected, and any lengthening of the detention without cause may lead to legal issues concerning unlawful seizure.

The other options do not accurately describe investigative detention. For instance, it is not about permanent confinement or immediate arrest, both of which imply a higher level of restriction and legal justification. Additionally, voluntary questioning does not involve restraint of freedom, as individuals are not compelled to stay in such scenarios. Therefore, the defining feature of investigative detention is its nature as a momentary and necessary restraint under specific circumstances.