When is a person considered to be seized under the Fourth Amendment?

A person is considered to be seized under the Fourth Amendment when a reasonable person believes they cannot leave. This definition revolves around the legal standard of "reasonable person's perspective," which takes into account the totality of the circumstances surrounding the interaction between law enforcement and the individual.

In practical terms, this means that even if an officer does not physically restrain someone or explicitly state that they are under arrest, if the person's freedom of movement is sufficiently restricted to the point where they perceive that they must stay, then a seizure has occurred. Factors such as the officer's tone, the presence of multiple officers, the display of weapons, or the location and manner of the encounter can all influence how the individual perceives their situation.

This standard is crucial in interpretations of the Fourth Amendment, ensuring protections against unreasonable searches and seizures. The other scenarios presented may indicate a form of police interaction, but they do not encapsulate the broader understanding of what constitutes a seizure in the eyes of a reasonable person.