What is necessary to perform a Terry stop on a vehicle?

To perform a Terry stop on a vehicle, having reasonable suspicion that criminal activity is afoot is essential. This level of suspicion is less than probable cause but must be based on specific and articulable facts that lead an officer to believe that a crime may be occurring or has occurred. The concept of reasonable suspicion stems from the landmark Supreme Court case Terry v. Ohio, which established the legal basis for stops and frisks.

In practice, this means that an officer may observe behavior, circumstances, or other situational evidence that prompts them to suspect that criminal conduct is present, allowing them to briefly detain the vehicle and its occupants to investigate further. This is crucial for ensuring that law enforcement can act proactively to prevent crime while respecting the rights of individuals.

Other options, while potentially relevant in certain contexts, do not satisfy the requirements for initiating a Terry stop. Proof of the driver's identity is not necessary to establish reasonable suspicion, and a warrant is not needed for this type of temporary detention. Similarly, while witness testimony can support an investigation, it is not a prerequisite for establishing the reasonable suspicion needed to make a Terry stop.