According to US v. Mendenhall, under what condition is seizure considered to occur?

In U.S. v. Mendenhall, the concept of "seizure" relates directly to an individual's perception of their freedom to leave when they are approached by law enforcement. The correct answer highlights that a seizure occurs when a person feels a reasonable belief that they cannot leave police custody. This encapsulates the idea that a person's subjective understanding of their situation is critical in defining whether a seizure has taken place.

When individuals feel they are not free to go due to the authority or actions of police, such as being surrounded, questioned in a manner that suggests a lack of freedom, or the presence of intimidating circumstances, a seizure is deemed to have occurred. This understanding aligns with the Fourth Amendment's protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, focusing on the individual's experience rather than solely the actions taken by the police.

In contrast, factors like believing one can leave freely or the necessity of police explicitly stating an arrest misses the nuance of personal perception. The notion that seizure requires physical force applied is also a narrower interpretation, overlooking situations where individuals may feel constrained by police presence or authority without any physical contact occurring.