QALaw › A man walking down the street appears to have an illegal weapon. What can a police officer do?
Q

A man walking down the street appears to have an illegal weapon. What can a police officer do?

A. The officer must immediately go before a judge to obtain a search warrant.

B. With reasonable cause, the officer can stop this individual and frisk him.

C. With reasonable cause, the officer can arrest the individual without reading the Miranda warning.

D. Nothing. The officer cannot stop anyone based on appearance alone.

A

Answer: B. With reasonable cause, the officer can stop this individual and frisk him.

A police officer who suspects that you have committed a crime, in the process of committing a crime, or in possession of an item capable of facilitating a criminal activity has every authority to stop and frisk you. The officer, with a reasonable course, can pat you down, rummage through your pockets, and retrieve this weapon. This is called a Terry frisk.

3 years ago
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