Know the case law allowing for a field contact?

Know the case law allowing for a field contact?

• A. Terry V. Ohio
• B. Field interviews are done for the purpose of identification, gather info, and preventing crime
• C. Both A and B
• D. None of the above

Answer: (A)

The key idea is investigatory stops: a field contact can be allowed if the officer has reasonable suspicion that the person is involved in criminal activity, and the stop is brief and non-custodial. Terry v. Ohio is the landmark case that establishes this framework, permitting a temporary stop and a possible frisk if there’s reasonable suspicion that the person is armed. This is the constitutional basis for field contacts in the field. The statement about field interviews describes their purpose—identification, gathering information, and crime prevention—but it isn’t a legal standard or case authority. It doesn’t provide the constitutional justification for why a field contact is allowed. Therefore, the correct basis among the options is Terry v. Ohio.

The key idea is investigatory stops: a field contact can be allowed if the officer has reasonable suspicion that the person is involved in criminal activity, and the stop is brief and non-custodial. Terry v. Ohio is the landmark case that establishes this framework, permitting a temporary stop and a possible frisk if there’s reasonable suspicion that the person is armed. This is the constitutional basis for field contacts in the field.

The statement about field interviews describes their purpose—identification, gathering information, and crime prevention—but it isn’t a legal standard or case authority. It doesn’t provide the constitutional justification for why a field contact is allowed. Therefore, the correct basis among the options is Terry v. Ohio.