Terry stop facts for kids

A Terry stop is a special way police officers in the United States can briefly stop someone and check their clothes. This quick check is called a "frisk." Police do this to see if the person has any guns or knives that could be dangerous. It's important to know that police can only do a Terry stop if they have a very good reason to think the person might be involved in a crime.

What is a Terry Stop?

A Terry stop is a short meeting between a police officer and a person. It's not a full arrest. During a Terry stop, an officer can ask questions. They can also do a quick pat-down of the person's outer clothing. This pat-down is called a "frisk." The main goal of a frisk is to find weapons. This helps keep everyone safe, including the officer and the public.

Why Do Police Do Terry Stops?

Police officers do Terry stops to prevent crime and keep people safe. They can only do a Terry stop if they have "reasonable suspicion." This means they need a good, specific reason to believe a person is involved in, or about to be involved in, a crime. It's not just a guess. For example, if someone is seen hiding something that looks like a weapon, or acting in a way that suggests they are about to commit a crime, an officer might have reasonable suspicion.

Reasonable Suspicion Explained

Reasonable suspicion is a lower standard than "probable cause," which is needed for an arrest. It means an officer has more than a hunch. They must be able to explain why they thought a person might be involved in a crime. This reason must be based on facts or observations. For example, if a police officer sees someone running from a store right after an alarm goes off, that could be reasonable suspicion.

Your Rights During a Terry Stop

Even during a Terry stop, people still have rights. You have the right to remain silent. This means you don't have to answer questions from the police. You can also ask if you are free to leave. If the officer says yes, you can go. If they say no, you are being detained. This means you are not free to leave yet.

When Can Police Frisk You?

Police can only frisk you during a Terry stop if they also have a good reason to believe you are armed and dangerous. This is a separate reason from the suspicion of crime. For example, if an officer sees a bulge in your pocket that looks like a gun, they might have a reason to frisk you. The frisk is only to check for weapons, not to search for other evidence.

The History of Terry Stops

The idea of a Terry stop comes from a very important court case. This case happened in 1968 and was called Terry v. Ohio. The U.S. Supreme Court made a decision in this case. They said that police officers can stop and frisk someone if they have reasonable suspicion. This decision created the rules that police follow today for Terry stops. It balances public safety with individual rights.