🇺🇸 United States
📜 Civil Law
1968
Landmark Case
Supreme Court
Terry v. Ohio
U.S. Supreme Court
Case Details
Case Summary
Held that police may briefly detain and pat-down (frisk) a person based on reasonable suspicion that the person has committed, is committing, or is about to commit a crime.
Final Judgment / Ruling
8-1 ruling: police may stop and frisk individuals based on reasonable suspicion, a lower standard than probable cause.
Why This Case Matters
Created the stop and frisk legal standard used by police throughout the US, allowing limited searches without probable cause.