Terry v. Ohio (1968) addresses which of the following practices by police officers?

• A. License checks during traffic stops
• B. Stop and frisk based on reasonable suspicion
• C. Searches of vehicles without a warrant
• D. Detaining suspects without cause

Answer: (B)

Terry v. Ohio (1968) is a landmark case that established the constitutional standard for stop-and-frisk procedures conducted by law enforcement officers. The ruling affirmed that police officers are allowed to stop an individual based on reasonable suspicion that they may be involved in criminal activity. This reasonable suspicion must be based on specific and articulable facts rather than a mere hunch.

The ruling also clarified that during such stops, if an officer has reasonable suspicion that the individual is armed and dangerous, they may conduct a limited frisk of the person for weapons. This practice strikes a balance between the need for police to ensure their safety and the protection of individual rights under the Fourth Amendment against unreasonable searches and seizures.

In this context, the focus on reasonable suspicion is crucial as it sets a legal standard that allows for proactive policing while safeguarding against arbitrary law enforcement actions. The specifics of the other practices listed, such as license checks, searches of vehicles, and detaining without cause, do not capture the essence of the Terry ruling, which specifically pertains to stop-and-frisk procedures initiated under conditions of reasonable suspicion.