Which statement correctly describes the relationship between a Terry stop and a Terry frisk?

Which statement correctly describes the relationship between a Terry stop and a Terry frisk?

• A. A Terry stop allows a full body search; a Terry frisk is unrelated
• B. A Terry stop is a brief detention; a Terry frisk is a limited search for weapons during the stop
• C. A Terry stop requires probable cause; a Terry frisk does not
• D. A Terry stop is a passive observation

Answer: (B)

The relationship tested is that a Terry stop is a brief detention based on reasonable suspicion, and a Terry frisk is a limited search for weapons conducted during that stop. A Terry stop allows police to briefly detain someone when they have reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. If during the stop the officer reasonably believes the person is armed and dangerous, they may perform a frisk—a quick pat-down of the outer clothing to check for weapons. This frisk is narrowly limited in scope to protecting the officer, not a full-body or general search. If something in the frisk provides probable cause, further search or seizure can follow, but the initial stop itself does not require probable cause. This is why the statement describing a brief detention plus a limited weapon search during the stop best captures the relationship.

The relationship tested is that a Terry stop is a brief detention based on reasonable suspicion, and a Terry frisk is a limited search for weapons conducted during that stop. A Terry stop allows police to briefly detain someone when they have reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. If during the stop the officer reasonably believes the person is armed and dangerous, they may perform a frisk—a quick pat-down of the outer clothing to check for weapons. This frisk is narrowly limited in scope to protecting the officer, not a full-body or general search. If something in the frisk provides probable cause, further search or seizure can follow, but the initial stop itself does not require probable cause. This is why the statement describing a brief detention plus a limited weapon search during the stop best captures the relationship.