What is a protective frisk and what justifies it?

• A. It is a limited pat-down for weapons and may be conducted if there is reasonable suspicion that the person is armed and dangerous.
• B. It allows a full body cavity search.
• C. It can be conducted without any indication of danger.
• D. It is identical to an arrest.

Answer: (C)

A protective frisk is a quick, limited pat-down of a person’s outer clothing to check for weapons when an officer has reasonable suspicion that the person is armed and dangerous. The purpose is to protect the officer and others from harm, not to search for evidence or contraband. The justification hinges on the totality of the circumstances—the officer must have a reasonable belief, based on observed facts, that the person could be armed. The frisk is narrowly tailored: it’s limited to feeling for weapons; if a weapon is found, it can be seized and further action may follow, but it’s not a full search of the person or a body cavity search. It also isn’t the same as an arrest.