What is a "Terry stop"?

A "Terry stop" refers to a brief stop and search for weapons that is based on reasonable suspicion. The term originates from the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Terry v. Ohio (1968), which established that law enforcement officers are permitted to stop and briefly detain a person if they have a reasonable belief that the individual may be involved in criminal activity and may be armed. This practice allows police officers to ensure their safety and investigate potential criminal behavior without needing probable cause for an arrest.

The framework of a Terry stop focuses on the balance between individual rights and public safety, granting officers the authority to conduct a limited search for weapons if they feel threatened. This means that the stop can occur without the elevated standard of probable cause that is required for formal arrests. Understanding this distinction is crucial in the context of professional policing, as it outlines the legal boundaries within which officers operate when addressing suspicious behavior.