What can police do during a Terry stop?
The Supreme Court held in Terry v. Ohio (1968) that police officers, based on their street experience but not necessarily probable cause, may stop suspects and pat them down to look for weapons. The Court expanded this category of warrantless searches and seizures in Minnesota v. Dickerson (1993), ruling that a police officer may seize contraband, not just weapons, during a “pat down.” However, such contraband must be obvious through the defendant’s clothing. Source: The Words We Live By…Linda Monk…
