Under the Terry stop concept, what must exist to justify a pat-down?

• A. Reasonable suspicion of armed and dangerous person
• B. Probable cause
• C. A warrant
• D. Consent

Answer: (A)

The essential rule here is that a Terry stop allows a brief detention based on reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. If that suspicion includes a belief that the person is armed and dangerous, the officer may perform a quick pat-down of the outer clothing to check for weapons. This frisk is strictly for safety and is limited in scope to discovering weapons; it is not a general search for evidence. Probable cause, a warrant, or consent may permit other actions, but they are not the standard needed to justify a pat-down under Terry.