What is a "Terry stop"?

A "Terry stop" refers specifically to the practice of briefly detaining an individual by law enforcement officers based on reasonable suspicion of involvement in criminal activity. This concept originates from the Supreme Court case Terry v. Ohio, where the Court ruled that police officers can stop and question a person if they have reasonable suspicion that the person is engaged in criminal behavior. This detention is not the same as an arrest, which typically requires probable cause, but it allows officers to investigate further while respecting the Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures. The key aspect of a Terry stop is the duration and purpose—it is intended to be a short, investigative stop based on specific, articulable facts that lead an officer to suspect wrongdoing. This definition clearly delineates a Terry stop from other forms of police action, such as long-term detentions based on warrants or arrests for misdemeanors, underscoring its unique legal basis and application in law enforcement.