How long can a Terry stop be conducted?

A Terry stop, established in the landmark case Terry v. Ohio, allows law enforcement officers to temporarily detain a person for investigative purposes based on reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. The correct understanding of this type of stop is that it should last no longer than necessary for the officer to achieve the purpose of the stop, which is to either confirm or dispel their suspicion.

This means that once the officer has gathered enough information to make a determination about the situation, whether it involves identifying the individual, checking for outstanding warrants, or other necessary inquiries, they must conclude the stop. Prolonging the stop beyond what is necessary raises concerns about violating the individual’s Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures.

The emphasis is on the need for the duration of the stop to be reasonable and justified by the circumstances that led to the initial detention, aligning with the essentials of the law surrounding Terry stops.