Can you make a Terry stop and if so, how far can you go?

A Terry stop, named after the U.S. Supreme Court case Terry v. Ohio, allows law enforcement officers to stop and briefly detain a person based on reasonable suspicion that the individual is involved in criminal activity. Importantly, this stop does not require probable cause, which is a higher standard reserved for arrests.

The correct answer pertains to the limitations of a Terry stop. When an officer makes a Terry stop, it must be reasonable in both duration and scope. The officer can briefly detain the individual in a public place for the purpose of investigation, but they cannot extend this stop into a situation where it becomes custodial unless probable cause is established. This means that the stop must be limited and non-intrusive, focusing strictly on questioning and potentially patting down for weapons if there is a reasonable belief that the person is armed. Therefore, the stop must occur within a reasonable distance in a public space without attempting to transport the individual to another location unless further legal justification arises.

In essence, this understanding underscores the principles established by the courts regarding the balance between law enforcement duties and individuals' rights, emphasizing the non-custodial nature of a Terry stop conducted under reasonable suspicion.