Terry v. Ohio
A plain-English summary from Criminal Defense Resources™, a free resource for pro per/pro se defendants and their families.
- Court
- U.S. Supreme Court
- Decided
- Citation
- 392 U.S. 1 (1968)
What did the court decide?
The Court held that a police officer may briefly stop a person when the officer has reasonable suspicion, based on specific facts, that criminal activity may be happening. If the officer reasonably believes the person is armed and dangerous, the officer may do a limited pat-down of outer clothing for weapons.
Why does it matter?
This is the source of the "Terry stop" and "stop and frisk." Reasonable suspicion is a lower standard than probable cause, but it still requires specific facts, not a hunch.
Where can I read the full opinion?
Read the full opinion on Cornell Law School LII →
Always read the full opinion and check whether later cases have limited or changed it. A summary can leave out important details.