What does the ruling in Graham v. State state about continued detention of passengers after a traffic stop?

The ruling in Graham v. State emphasizes that the continued detention of passengers after a traffic stop must be grounded in reasonable suspicion. This translates to law enforcement officers being required to have specific, articulable facts that suggest a passenger is involved in criminal activity before prolonging their detention beyond the scope of the initial reason for the traffic stop. This helps to protect individuals from arbitrary or unjust detentions, ensuring that their rights are upheld during police encounters.

The importance of reasonable suspicion in this context means that officers cannot detain passengers simply for being present during a traffic stop without further justification. This standard sets a legal boundary that promotes fairness and accountability in law enforcement interactions, supporting the overarching principle of protecting civil rights.