Under what condition can you perform a frisk of the passenger compartments of a car?

A frisk of the passenger compartments of a car is justified under the condition when an officer has a reasonable belief that someone is in danger of physical injury. This principle is rooted in the need to ensure safety for both the officer and others in the vicinity. The officer must have reasonable suspicion that the individual poses a threat, which can warrant a limited search to ensure that no weapons or other dangerous items are present in the vehicle.

This approach adheres to the concept of balancing the need for officer safety with the individual's Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches. If an officer perceives that there is a potential risk for physical injury, that belief equips them with the legal rationale to conduct a frisk in a manner similar to the protective search associated with Terry stops. Thus, the focus is primarily on ensuring safety rather than pursuing evidence of a crime. The other scenarios presented (such as arresting the driver, having probable cause, or prior involvement in a crime) do not directly address the immediacy of a threat to safety, which is the core justification for performing a frisk.