Which statement correctly describes a frisk?

Which statement correctly describes a frisk?

• A. Frisk requires probable cause.
• B. Frisk must be supported by reasonable suspicion of a weapon.
• C. Frisk allows full search of clothing.
• D. Frisk is only allowed during a car stop.

Answer: (B)

A frisk is a brief, protective pat-down of a person’s outer clothing conducted during a lawful stop to check for weapons. The key requirement is that the officer has reasonable suspicion that the individual is armed and dangerous. This standard is specific to safety concerns and is lower than probable cause, but it must be present to justify the frisk. Because of that, the best answer is that a frisk must be supported by reasonable suspicion of a weapon. It is not a full search of the person or their clothing and it isn’t confined only to car stops; it can occur during various lawful detentions. If during the frisk the officer immediately recognizes a weapon by feel, they may seize it; otherwise the search must stop at a pat-down for weapons.

A frisk is a brief, protective pat-down of a person’s outer clothing conducted during a lawful stop to check for weapons. The key requirement is that the officer has reasonable suspicion that the individual is armed and dangerous. This standard is specific to safety concerns and is lower than probable cause, but it must be present to justify the frisk. Because of that, the best answer is that a frisk must be supported by reasonable suspicion of a weapon. It is not a full search of the person or their clothing and it isn’t confined only to car stops; it can occur during various lawful detentions. If during the frisk the officer immediately recognizes a weapon by feel, they may seize it; otherwise the search must stop at a pat-down for weapons.