What does Terry v. Ohio authorize during stops?

What does Terry v. Ohio authorize during stops?

• A. A pat-down for weapons
• B. A full search
• C. A warrantless body cavity search
• D. Detention for 48 hours

Answer: (A)

During a stop based on reasonable suspicion, Terry v. Ohio authorizes a quick pat-down of the outer clothing to check for weapons. The purpose is to protect the officer and others by ensuring the person isn’t armed. This frisk is limited in scope to weapons only and does not constitute a full search of the person. A full search would require probable cause and often a warrant. Likewise, a warrantless body cavity search is far beyond what Terry allows, and detention for 48 hours is not part of the stop-and-frisk framework. So the action permitted during stops is a pat-down for weapons.

During a stop based on reasonable suspicion, Terry v. Ohio authorizes a quick pat-down of the outer clothing to check for weapons. The purpose is to protect the officer and others by ensuring the person isn’t armed. This frisk is limited in scope to weapons only and does not constitute a full search of the person. A full search would require probable cause and often a warrant. Likewise, a warrantless body cavity search is far beyond what Terry allows, and detention for 48 hours is not part of the stop-and-frisk framework. So the action permitted during stops is a pat-down for weapons.