Which statement accurately describes a pat down under Terry?

Which statement accurately describes a pat down under Terry?

• A. It is a protective and limited pat down of the outermost clothing to determine if the person is armed.
• B. It is a full body cavity search
• C. It is a search of the vehicle
• D. It is a verbal interrogation and inquiry

Answer: (A)

A Terry pat-down is a protective, limited frisk allowed when police have reasonable suspicion that a person is armed and dangerous during a lawful stop. Its purpose is safety, not to uncover evidence, so the search is confined to a quick, nonintrusive exploration of the outer clothing to feel for weapons. It cannot be a full body search, a vehicle search, or a verbal interrogation. If the officer feels a weapon, or an item that is immediately apparent as contraband through the sense of touch (plain touch), it may be seized.

A Terry pat-down is a protective, limited frisk allowed when police have reasonable suspicion that a person is armed and dangerous during a lawful stop. Its purpose is safety, not to uncover evidence, so the search is confined to a quick, nonintrusive exploration of the outer clothing to feel for weapons. It cannot be a full body search, a vehicle search, or a verbal interrogation. If the officer feels a weapon, or an item that is immediately apparent as contraband through the sense of touch (plain touch), it may be seized.