John W. Terry

John W. Terry is best known for his role in a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case, Terry v. Ohio (1968). This case addressed the constitutionality of stop-and-frisk procedures used by police officers. The Court ruled that police can stop and briefly detain a person for questioning if they have reasonable suspicion that the person is involved in criminal activity, without a warrant. This decision balanced the need for public safety with individuals' Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures, shaping law enforcement practices regarding stops and searches across the United States.