What best describes a Terry frisk?

• A. Only after a full arrest.
• B. Only with consent.
• C. Generally not allowed.
• D. True: A Terry frisk allows the officer to search for weapons when there is reasonable suspicion of danger.

Answer: (D)

A Terry frisk is a short, protective pat-down of the outer clothing conducted during a lawful stop when the officer has reasonable suspicion that the person is armed and dangerous. Its purpose is to quickly check for weapons, not to search for evidence. The scope is limited to discovering weapons; it requires no full arrest or consent, and it is permitted only because of the specific risk the officer imagines.

This description fits best because it captures the essential idea: a stop-and-frisk focused on weapons based on reasonable suspicion of danger, not a broad search or a post-arrest procedure. If an object is felt that is obviously a weapon, it can be secured; if an object is felt that is not a weapon but is immediately recognizable as contraband, it may be seized under the plain-touch doctrine.