North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) State Practice Exam

What landmark ruling did Terry v Ohio establish?

1. Search and seizure regulations

2. Stop and Frisk policy

3. Probable cause standard

4. Miranda rights

The correct answer is: Stop and Frisk policy

The ruling in Terry v. Ohio established the "Stop and Frisk" policy, which is a key aspect of law enforcement practices in the United States. The Supreme Court's decision affirmed that police officers have the authority to stop a person and briefly detain them if they have a reasonable suspicion that the individual is involved in criminal activity. This reasonable suspicion must be based on specific facts or circumstances, rather than just a vague hunch. During these stops, officers are permitted to conduct a limited search, or "frisk," of the individual's outer clothing for weapons if they have a reasonable belief that the person is armed and poses a danger to their safety or that of others. This ruling balances the need for police to ensure their safety while also allowing for the protection of citizens' rights against arbitrary searches and detentions. The other options represent different legal principles and rulings that, while important, do not directly relate to the specifics of the Terry v. Ohio case. Search and seizure regulations encompass broader Fourth Amendment issues, while the probable cause standard pertains to the threshold required for obtaining warrants or making arrests. Miranda rights, established in Miranda v. Arizona, address the requirement for informing individuals of their rights during custodial interrogation. Each of these areas ties into