Macon County Law Enforcement Center (MCLC) Comprehensive State Practice Exam

What legal standard is required for a Terry Stop?

1. Probable cause

2. Reasonable suspicion

3. Certainty of guilt

4. Preponderance of evidence

The correct answer is: Reasonable suspicion

The legal standard required for a Terry Stop is reasonable suspicion. This standard comes from the Supreme Court case Terry v. Ohio, which established that law enforcement officers can stop and briefly detain a person for investigative purposes if they have a reasonable suspicion that the individual is involved in criminal activity. Reasonable suspicion is based on the totality of the circumstances, meaning that officers must be able to articulate specific facts that lead them to believe that a person is engaged in suspicious activity. This is a lower standard than probable cause, which is necessary for arrests and search warrants, highlighting the fact that Terry Stops are intended to allow law enforcement to investigate potential criminal behavior without the need for an arrest or a higher threshold of evidence. Using this standard, officers can act quickly to prevent a potential crime or ensure public safety, demonstrating the balance between individual rights and community safety in law enforcement practices.