Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Practice Exam

What defines the duration of a Terry stop?

1. Time of day

2. Nature of the inquiry

3. Purpose of the stop

4. Officer's judgment

The correct answer is: Purpose of the stop

The duration of a Terry stop is fundamentally defined by the purpose of the stop. A Terry stop, stemming from the Supreme Court case Terry v. Ohio, allows law enforcement officers to briefly detain a person for questioning based on a reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. This detention must be limited in scope, meaning that officers are only permitted to hold a suspect for the time necessary to confirm or dispel their suspicions. The nature of the inquiry dictates how long the stop should last; officers should conduct their questioning and any necessary searches as quickly as reasonably possible. If the purpose of the stop is met – whether by gathering enough information to resolve the suspicion or moving on if no grounds for further suspicion exist – the stop should conclude. Therefore, the time taken for the inquiry directly correlates with the investigatory goals intended during the stop, reinforcing that the purpose of the stop is what predominantly shapes its duration.