Which scenario could justify a Terry Stop?

Which scenario could justify a Terry Stop?

• A. A person observed committing a crime in the area and fleeing
• B. A person sitting calmly with no evidence
• C. No reason to suspect anything
• D. Randomly stopping people on the street

Answer: (A)

A Terry stop is allowed when the officer has reasonable suspicion that the person is involved in criminal activity. Seeing someone in the area commit a crime and then flee provides specific, observable facts that the person may be involved in that crime or attempting to avoid detection. Those facts create reasonable suspicion, justifying a brief detention to investigate further, check identity, and determine whether criminal activity is ongoing. The detainment should be limited in scope and duration to minimize intrusion. The other scenarios don’t establish reasonable suspicion. A person sitting calmly with no evidence offers no basis to suspect wrongdoing, and randomly stopping people on the street targets individuals without any individualized reason, which is not permitted.

A Terry stop is allowed when the officer has reasonable suspicion that the person is involved in criminal activity. Seeing someone in the area commit a crime and then flee provides specific, observable facts that the person may be involved in that crime or attempting to avoid detection. Those facts create reasonable suspicion, justifying a brief detention to investigate further, check identity, and determine whether criminal activity is ongoing. The detainment should be limited in scope and duration to minimize intrusion.

The other scenarios don’t establish reasonable suspicion. A person sitting calmly with no evidence offers no basis to suspect wrongdoing, and randomly stopping people on the street targets individuals without any individualized reason, which is not permitted.