Document: 392 U.S. 1 88 S.Ct. 1868 20 L.Ed.2d 889 John W. TERRY, Petitioner,v.STATE OF OHIO. No. 67. Argued Dec. 12, 1967. Decided June 10, 1968. [Syllabus from pages 1-3 intentionally omitted] Louis Stokes, Cleveland, Ohio, for petitioner. Reuben M. Payne, respondent. Mr. Chief Justice WARREN delivered the opinion of Court. This case presents serious questions concerning role Fourth Amendment in confrontation on street between citizen and policeman investigating suspicious circumstances. 2 Petitioner Terry was convicted carrying a concealed weapon sentenced to statutorily prescribed term one three years penitentiary.1 Following denial pretrial motion suppress, prosecution introduced evidence two revolvers number bullets seized codefendant, Richard Chilton,2 by Cleveland Police Detective Martin McFadden. At hearing suppress this evidence, Officer McFadden testified that while he patrolling plain clothes downtown at approximately 2:30 afternoon October 31, 1963, his attention attracted men, Chilton Terry, standing corner Huron Road Euclid Avenue. He had never seen men before, unable say precisely what first drew eye them. However, been 39 detective 35 assigned patrol vicinity shoplifters pickpockets 30 years. explained developed routine habits observation over would 'stand watch people or walk many intervals day.' added: 'Now, when I looked they didn't look right me time.' 3 His interest aroused, took up post entrance store 300 400 feet away men. 'I get more purpose them their movements,' testified. saw leave other southwest Road, past some stores. The man paused moment window, then walked short distance, turned around back toward corner, pausing once again same window. rejoined companion conferred briefly. Then second went through series motions, strolling down looking walking turning back, peering window again, returning confer with corner. repeated ritual alternately five six times apiece—in all, roughly dozen trips. point, were together third approached engaged briefly conversation. left others west resumed measured pacing, conferring. After gone 10 12 minutes, off together, heading Avenue, following path taken earlier man. 4 By time become thoroughly suspicious. after observing elaborately casual oft-repeated reconnaissance suspected 'casing job, stick-up,' considered it duty as police officer investigate further. added feared 'they may have gun.' Thus, followed stop front Zucker's talk who Deciding situation ripe direct action, identified himself asked names. point knowledge confined observed. not acquainted any name sight, received no information source. When 'mumbled something' response inquiries, grabbed petitioner spun him so facing two, others, patted outside clothing. In breast pocket Terry's overcoat felt pistol. reached inside pocket, but remove gun. keeping ordered all enter store. As in, removed completely, .38-caliber revolver face wall hands raised. proceeded pat outer clothing man, Katz. discovered another Chilton's overcoat, weapons found only see whether weapons, did put beneath garments either until guns. So far appears record, placed Katz' garments. gun, proprietor call wagon, station, where formally charged weapons. 5 On guns position search incident lawful arrest. trial court rejected theory, stating 'would be stretching facts beyond reasonable comprehension' find probable cause arrest before denied defendants' ground McFadden, basis experience, 'had believe * defendants conducting themselves suspiciously, interrogation should made action.' Purely own protection, held, these might armed. distinguished an investigatory 'stop' arrest, 'frisk' full-blown crime. frisk, essential proper performance officer's duties, without 'the answer bullet, loaded pistol during frisk is admissible.' 6 waived jury pleaded guilty. adjudged guilty, Court Appeals Eighth Judicial District, Cuyahoga County, affirmed. State v. Ohio App.2d 122, 214 N.E.2d 114 (1966). Supreme dismissed appeal 'substantial constitutional question' involved. We granted certiorari, 387 929, 87 2050, 18 989 (1967), determine admission violated petitioner's rights under Amendment, applicable States Fourteenth. Mapp 367 643, 81 1684, 1081 (1961). affirm conviction. I. 7 provides secure persons, houses, papers, effects, against unreasonable searches seizures, shall *.' inestimable personal security belongs much streets our cities homeowner closeted study dispose secret affairs. For, has always recognized, 8 'No held sacred, carefully guarded, common law, than every individual possession control person, free restraint interference unless clear unquestionable authority law.' Union Pac. R. Co. Botsford, 141 250, 251, 11 1000, 1001, L.Ed. 734 (1891). 9 recently protects people, places,' Katz United States, 389 347, 351, 507, 511, 19 576 wherever harbor 'expectation privacy,' id., 361, (Mr. Harlan, concurring), entitled governmental intrusion. Of course, specific content incidents must shaped context which asserted. For 'what Constitution forbids seizures.' Elkins 364 206, 222, 80 1437, 1446, 1669 (1960). Unquestionably protection Cleveland. Beck 379 89, 85 223, 13 142 (1964); Rios 253, 1431, 1688 (1960); Henry 361 98, 168, 134 (1959); Di Re, 332 581, 68 92 210 (1948); Carroll 267 132, 45 280, 69 543 (1925). question circumstances on-the-street encounter, seizure. less candid if we acknowledge thrusts fore difficult troublesome issues regarding sensitive area activity—issues squarely presented Reflective tensions involved are practical arguments pressed great vigor both sides public debate power 'stop frisk' —as sometimes euphemistically termed—suspicious persons. hand, frequently argued dealing rapidly unfolding often dangerous situations city need escalating set flexible responses, graduated relation amount possess. urged distinctions 'arrest' (or 'seizure' person), 'search.'3 argued, allowed person detain questioning upon suspicion connected criminal activity. Upon armed, If give rise suspect committed crime, empowered make formal 'arrest,' full 'search' person. scheme justified part notion mere 'minor inconvenience petty indignity,'4 can properly imposed effective law enforcement suspicion.5 side argument strictly circumscribed date traditional jurisprudence Amendment.6 It contended force there not—and cannot be—a variety activity does depend solely voluntary cooperation yet stops based such heart runs, severe requirement justification intrusion protected security, coupled highly system judicial controls enforce agents commands Constitution. Acquiescence courts compulsion inherent field practices issue here, urged, constitute abdication over, indeed encouragement of, substantial liberty officers whose judgment necessarily colored primary involvement competitive enterprise ferreting out crime.' Johnson 333 14, 367, 369, 436 (1948). This, serve exacerbate police-community crowded centers Nation's cities.7 approach mindful limitations function controlling myriad daily policemen citizens confront each street. characterized here stop, interrogate (known vernacular frisk').'8 But partly accurate. abstract propriety conduct, admissibility uncovered Ever since its inception, rule excluding violation recognized principal mode discouraging lawless conduct. See Weeks 232 383, 391—393, 34 341, 344, 58 652 (1914). Thus major thrust deterrent one, Linkletter Walker, 381 618, 629—635, 1731, 1741, 14 601 (1965), experience taught misconduct context, guarantee seizures 'form words.' 655, 1692, also serves vital function—'the imperative integrity.' 1447, Courts sit will party invasions permitting unhindered use fruits invasions. evidentiary rulings provide process inclusion exclusion approves conduct comporting guarantees disapproves actions state agents. A ruling admitting trial, recognize, necessary effect legitimizing produced application exclusionary withholds imprimatur. limitations, however, tool control. invoked exclude products legitimate investigative techniques closely similar involves unwarranted intrusions protections. Moreover, contexts ineffective deterrent. Street encounters incredibly rich diversity. They range wholly friendly exchanges pleasantries mutually useful hostile confrontations armed involving arrests, injuries, loss life. piece. Some begin enough manner, take different turn injection unexpected element into Encounters initiated wide purposes, unrelated desire prosecute crime.9 Doubtless 'field interrogation' violates Amendment. stern refusal condone render responsive rule. Regardless how obtaining convictions important objective police,10 powerless deter constitutionally guaranteed prosecuting willing forgo successful serving goal. 15 Proper adjudication cases demands constant awareness limitations. wholesale harassment certain elements community, minority groups, particularly Negroes, complain,11 stopped trial. Yet rigid unthinking rule, futile protest used effectively control, exact high toll human injury frustration efforts prevent No comprehend protean judge us. Nothing today indicating approval sphere. Under decision, still retain responsibility guard over-bearing harassing, trenches requires. identified, condemned judiciary excluded trials. And, restrained undertaken ample factual way discourage employment remedies curtail abuses sanction prove inappropriate. 16 Having thus sketched perimeters limits general background itself, quite narrow posed us: seize subject limited Given narrowness question, occasion canvass detail scope policeman's confronts him. II. 17 Our task establish encounter becomes relevant. That is, decide 'seized' conducted 'search.' There suggestion terms purview because neither action rises level within meaning Constitution.12 emphatically reject notion. governs 'seizures' do eventuate trip station house crime—'arrests' terminology. whenever accosts restrains freedom away, And nothing sheer torture English language suggest careful exploration surfaces person's her body attempt 'search,' simply fantastic urge procedure performed stands helpless, perhaps raised, 'petty indignity.'13 sanctity inflict indignity arouse strong resentment, lightly.14 danger logic proceeds twofold. seeks isolate scrutiny initial stages contact citizen. suggesting all-or-nothing model regulation obscures utility scope, well initiation, means regulation.15 inception violate virtue intolerable intensity scope. Kremen 353 346, 77 828, 876 (1957); Go-Bart Importing 282 356—358, 51 153, 158, 75 374 (1931); 586—587, 225, 'strictly tied by' rendered initiation permissible. Warden Hayden, 294, 310, 1642, 1652 (1967) Fortas, concurring); e.g., Preston 376 364, 368, 84 881, 884, 777 Agnello 269 20, 30—31, 46 4, 6, 70 145 classical 'stop-and-frisk' theory divert central inquiry Amendment—the reasonableness particular invasion citizen's security. 'Search' talismans. therefore notions come play limitation something called 'technical arrest' 'full-blown search.' then, subjected hold interfered did.16 determining seizure 'unreasonable' dual one—whether reasonably related place. III. 21 Warrant Clause ascertain 'probable cause' existed justify case. retreat holdings must, practicable, obtain advance warrant procedure, (1967); 96, 228, Chapman 365 610, 776, 828 (1961), most instances failure comply excused exigent circumstances, see, 782 (hot pursuit); cf. 367—368, (1964). deal entire rubric conduct—necessarily swift predicated on-the-spot observations beat—which historically been, matter could be, procedure. Instead, tested Amendment's proscription seizures.17 22 Nonetheless, underlie remain fully relevant context. order assess McFadden's proposition, 'first focus allegedly justifies official interests private citizen,' 'no ready test balancing seize) seizure) entails.' Camara Municipal Court, 523, 534—535, 536 537, 1727, 1735, 930 (1967). justifying able articulable which, rational inferences those facts, intrusion.18 meaningful assured enforcing laws detached, neutral evaluate light circumstances.19 making assessment judged standard: available 'warrant caution belief' appropriate? Cf. (1925); 96—97, 229, (1964).20 Anything invite inarticulate hunches, result consistently refused sanction. See, supra; (1959). simple "good faith arresting enough.' subjective good alone test, protections evaporate, 'secure papers effects,' discretion police.' supra, 97, 229. 23 Applying principles case, consider nature extent One course crime prevention detection; underlies recognition appropriate manner purposes possibly behavior even though discharging decided companions observed Chilton, go Through acts, innocent warranted further investigation. unusual waiting someone. Nor anything about street, singly pairs. Store windows, moreover, in. story where, hover extended period time, end apparent anyone anything; pace along identical route, stare 24 times; completion route immediately conference corner; joined conferences leaves swiftly; finally follow rejoin couple blocks away. poor work years' detection thievery stores neighborhood failed crux taking steps behavior, rather, searching now concerned crime; addition, immediate assure whom unexpectedly fatally Certainly require unnecessary risks duties. American criminals long tradition violence, year country killed line duty, thousands wounded. Virtually deaths portion injuries inflicted knives.21 25 view blind ourselves protect prospective victims violence lack believing close presently appear clearly deny measures fact neutralize threat physical harm. 26 consider, quality accepted conceded lacking. Even constitutes severe, brief, cherished surely annoying, frightening, humiliating experience. contends permissible commission led examined. 27 argue refrain investigation arrest; nor confronting persons dangerous. unjustified discover Rather, says step evolves reached, concede instrumentalities 'mere' 28 weaknesses reasoning however. First, fails account searches, recognizes distinction purpose, character, former, although acknowledged necessity assault weapon, 883, (1964), grounds, ibid., involve relatively extensive absence like search, exigencies initiation. 1652, concurring). discovery harm nearby, realistically 'full' remains 29 second, related, objection assumes already worked balance here—the neutralization circumstance individual. so. An kind designed likewise different. stage prosecution. intended vindicate society's having obeyed, inevitably accompanied future individual's movement, conviction ultimately follows.22 protective inconsiderable, lawfully apprised sufficient belief committing equally unjustified, absent perfectly apprehension arise possessed adequate custody Petitioner's reliance standards regard constituting arrests thereto misplaced. sought vindicated equated cases, thereby ignores aspect analysis types supra. evaluation struck type leads us conclude narrowly drawn permit officer, reason individual, regardless absolutely armed; prudent safety danger. 91, 226, Brinegar 338 160, 174—176, 1302, 1311, 93 1879 (1949); Stacey Emery, 97 642, 645, 1035 (1878).23 acted due weight given, inchoate unparticularized 'hunch,' draw IV. 31 examine reasonable, conducted. acting preface 'stick-up.' think detailed behavior. consistent hypothesis contemplating daylight robbery—which, assume, likely weapons—and noticed confronted gave negate hypothesis. Although trio departed original scene, indicate abandonment intent commit robbery point. gathered display fear hailing them, identifying asking names served dispel belief. decision product volatile inventive imagination, act harassment; record evidences tempered quick possible danger, 32 all. imposing preconditions Compare 354—356, 514, rests assumption 'limitations fruit tend limit quest itself.' Poller, 43 F.2d 911, 914, 74 A.L.R. 1382 (C.A.2d Cir. 1930); (1965); (1961); 216—221, 33 develop length places These concrete cases. Sibron New York, 40, 1889, 1912, 917 today. Suffice note unlike disappearance destruction sole present guns, knives, clubs, hidden instruments officer. problem standards. companions. place pockets surface merely invade clothes, patdown weapon. minimally learn disarm exploratory whatever find. V. admitted searched grounds dangerous, true materialized. restricted items sought. Each sort will, facts. observes afoot identifies makes others' safety, Such taken. 36 Affirmed. 37 BLACK concurs except quotes relies Court's concurring Hayden. 38 HARLAN, concurring. While unreservedly agree ultimate holding am constrained fill few gaps, opinion. said guidelines authorities throughout land new develops. 40 accompanying bounded afforded Fourteenth Amendments. holds, agree, valid warrant, existence cause, activities credibly relates court. Since admissible, reasonable. 41 could, forcibly thought little doubt pursuant Concealed create public, checks, 'probability.' mention applied clothed suspicion; authority, 'pat down' passers-by, address questions, Consequently, rest constitutionality citizenry, including himself, 42 instead, right, springing broader disarm, protection. holding, agrees, offers satisfactory affirming has, logical corollaries expressed. place, citizen, insist forcible stop. Any policeman, avoid considers instead presence. (again, citizen) ordinarily addressed equal ignore interrogator away; certainly submit questioner's depends 44 Where automatic violence. Just requires additional justification, rapid routine. why rightfully ask risk bullet. illustrative frisk. anything, lead experienced, engage burglary robbery. justifiable accosting restraining movement briefly, addressing him, did, suppose apart planning violent name, something.' Whereupon speak louder giving chance explain presence actions, frisked reasons on. would, explicit implicit affirmance interrupt privacy arose forcing effort Once forced justified, suitable safely automatically. 47 foregoing premises, join 48 WHITE, 49 reserving judgment, remarks fashioned 50 Also, puts aside word prevents streets. Absent special detained refuse cooperate way. given seems pertinent directed obliged answer, answers compelled, furnishes alert continued observation. my view, temporary detention, chiefly Perhaps proper, beneficial results not. found, follow. none nevertheless preventive ends unmistakable message aroused. sustainable process. DOUGLAS, dissenting. 52 frisking mystery standards, cause'1 (1) (2) being (3) committed. 53 disclaims cause.' loitering offense charged, shown. weapons;2 concluding Had sought, magistrate therefore, unauthorized showing greater authorize action. opposite again.3 54 words, permitted warrants satisfy standard cause. possess arrested satisfied present. rings bell certainty sounded phrases 'reasonable suspicion.' deeply imbedded history. stated 100—102, 170: 55 'The roots deep blank, writs assistance, James Otis inveighed, perpetuated oppressive practice allowing suspicion. required. 56 'That philosophy (rebelling practices) later reflected early decisions adoption show, rumor report, suspicion, 'strong suspect' support principle survived day. 57 '* important, think, (of cause) enforced, acts turns innocent. limits, incidental immunity fairly enlarged jeopardizing citizen.' infringement 'reasonable' Only draws inkling convince committed, committing, 'In very implies, probabilities. technical; considerations everyday life legal technicians, act.' 175, 1310. 59 To totalitarian path. desirable cope modern forms lawlessness. taken, deliberate choice amendment. Until allied Fifth,4 rewritten, effects reach government agencies (probable venture launched launched. 60 powerful hydraulic pressures history bear heavily water upper hand. pressure probably 61 longer sovereign, pick cut jib, 'seize' discretion, regime. country. Rev.Code § 2923.01 (1953) '(n)o carry pistol, bowie knife, dirk, person.' exception authorized officers. arrested, indicted, tried together. represented attorney, joint denied, Chilton. consisted testimony stipulated time. prosecuted appeals petitioned certiorari grant writ petition, died. review. Both relied distinction. 125—130, 114, 117—120 also, People Rivera, N.Y.2d 441, 252 N.Y.S.2d 458, 201 cert. 978, 679, 568 Aspen, Arrest Alternatives: Recent Trends, 1966 U.Ill..l.F. 241, 249—254; Warner, Uniform Act, Va.L.Rev. 315 (1942); Note, Stop Frisk California, Hastings L.J. 623, 629—632 n. 3, 447, N.Y.S.2d, 464, N.E.2d, 36. laid Rivera opinion: '(T)he needed degree conclusiveness required stopping inquire incriminating known 'And conclusive sustain elemental precaution initially search. Ultimately validity narrows touch questioned. sense exterior sight hearing—senses customarily 445, 461, 463, 32, 34, (1965). Foote, Amendment: Obstacle Necessity Law Arrest?, J.Crim.L.C. & P.S. 402 11, infra. Brief Respondent 2. L. Tiffany, D. McIntyre Rotenberg, Detection Crime: Stopping Questioning, Search Seizure, Encouragement Entrapment 18—56 may, example, help intoxicated home, intention obstreperous. Or seeking mediate domestic quarrel threatens erupt accost woman prostitution campaign drive prostitutes considerable difficulty dragnet teenagers section heard rumors impending gang fight. 9, 100 101; Comment, Nw.U.L.Rev. 493, 497—499 (1952). President's Commission Enforcement Administration '(i)n communities, interrogations source friction groups.' Justice, Task Force Report: 183 reported caused '(m)isuse interrogations' increases 'as departments adopt 'aggressive patrol' encouraged routinely unknown suspicious, abroad readily evident.' Id., 184. frequency 'frisking' varies tremendously locale, interrogation, 47—48, severely exacerbating factor tensions. youths group members 'motivated officers' perceived maintain image beat aim accomplished attempts undermine streets.' Ibid. 'we distinguish herein includes authorizes contraband, material, else controlled requirements essential.' 130, 120 Ellis 105 U.S.App.D.C. 86, 88, 264 372, 65 Col.L.Rev. 848, 860 Consider apt description: feel fingers prisoner's body. arms armpits, waistline groin testicles, legs feet.' Priar Martin, Searching Disarming Criminals, 481 (1954). text. noted abusive major, exclusive, creating susceptible dictate respect powers genuine situations. community resentment aroused revelant expectations practices. dangers illustrated York. area, rested nn. 3—5, compelled recognize Taggart, 335, 342, 283 1, 8, 229 586, actually subsequent decisions, Pugach, 65, 255 833, 204 176 380 936, 946, 823 acknowledging maintained theory. defined Rivera—as essentially unlimited examination seizable items—and upheld conception 'frisk.' principally potential regulation, arrived necessity, unrestrained rummaging apparently 'cases grave irreparable property damage,' sumptuary laws, gambling, consequence, narcotics violations, prostitution, larcenies ordinary kind, like.' 340, 584. sounder intrusion, reasonableness. 183, 1314, (1949) Jackson, dissenting). Muncipal preferable attributes too significance overly technical definition judge-made hierarchy legislative enactments Focusing produce rules intelligible alike requiring heat 'of consequence.' 'detention' and/or interrogation. Obviously, intercourse show occurred. tell prior assume generally Leagre, Arrest, J. Crim.L.C. 393, 396—403 (1963). demand specificity teaching jurisprudence. Ker 23, 34—37, 83 1623, 1632, 726 (1963); Wong Sun 371 471, 479—484, 407, 416, 441 261—262, 171, Draper 358 307, 312—314, 79 329, 333, 327 175—178, 1312, 15—17, 371, 593—595, Husty 694, 700—701, 240, 242, 629 Dunbra 268 435, 546, 549, 1032 159—162, 288, (1878). 354—357, Berger 388 41, 54—60, 1873, 1884, 1040 13—15, 479—480, 413, Aguilar Texas, 378 108, 110—115, 1509, 1514, 723 cited 18, Fifty-seven 1966, bringing total 335 seven-year beginning 1960. Also 23,851 assaults officers, 9,113 resulted policeman. Fifty-five died gunshot wounds, handguns easily secreted remaining murders perpetrated knives. Federal Bureau Investigation, Crime Reports States—1966, 45—48, 152 Table 51. easy availability firearms provoked debate. Challenge Free Society 239-243 Whatever merits gun-control proposals, form self-protective power. LaFave, Arrest—The Decision Take Suspect Custody 1—13 Thompson, Wall. 155, 55; 1035; Director General Kastenbaum, 263 25, 52, 146; 543; 210; 1879; 327; 134. charging crimes enforcement, deterrence would-be criminals. '(T)here war sense,' 657, 1693. wait Respect return, 2923.01. warrant. 156, 161—162, McDonald 451, 455—456, 191, 194, 153; 134; 441. handing exercised issuing warrants: 'Whether reliability particularity stringent absent, obtained.' 479, 413. 176, 1879. 'These long-prevailing (for seek safeguard rash interferences unfounded charges fair leeway community's Because executing duties ambiguous, room mistakes part. leading sensibly conclusions probability. practical, non-technical affording best compromise accommodating opposing interests. Requiring unduly hamper enforcement. allow law-abiding mercy whim caprice.' 14—15, 436; Wrightson 95 390, 393—394, 222 556, 559—560 (1955). Boyd 116 616, 633, 524, 534, 746. 'For 'unreasonable seizures' fourth amendment almost compelling fifth amendment; 'in witness himself,' amendment, throws seizure' amendment.'

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