If a police officer has a reasonable belief that someone is committing or about to commit a crime,that officer can stop the suspect __________.

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A police officer can stop a suspect without getting a warrant if they have a reasonable belief that the person is committing or about to commit a crime. This is known as a Terry stop, named after the Supreme Court case Terry v. Ohio. The officer must have a reasonable suspicion based on specific, articulable facts that the person is engaged in criminal activity, and the stop must be brief and non-intrusive. Consent or plans to arrest the person are not necessary for a Terry stop, but the officer cannot continue the stop or conduct a search without additional justification. The presence of witnesses is not a factor in determining whether a Terry stop is lawful.

If a Police Officer Has a Reasonable Belief That Someone