What defines an arrest in relation to a Terry stop?

An arrest in relation to a Terry stop is defined by the circumstances under which the stop transitions into a detention. A Terry stop, which originates from the landmark Supreme Court case Terry v. Ohio, allows law enforcement officers to briefly detain an individual based on reasonable suspicion. This is different from an arrest, which typically requires probable cause.

In this context, while a Terry stop is intended to be a limited and brief encounter based on specific, articulable facts that suggest criminal activity is afoot, it can evolve into a detention if the circumstances change. For instance, if an officer develops probable cause during the Terry stop—perhaps due to the behavior or responses of the individual involved—the stop may lead to an arrest. This transition is significant because it highlights the difference between the levels of suspicion required for a stop versus an arrest, thus marking the legal implications of each scenario.

Other answer choices do not accurately capture the legal nuances involved in distinguishing an arrest from a Terry stop. For example, a verbal warning does not constitute an arrest, nor does a warrantless stop automatically indicate an arrest if it lacks sufficient cause. Similarly, a stop for non-compliance with a request may not meet the legal thresholds necessary to categorize the encounter as an arrest.