In what situation can law enforcement officers conduct a stop and frisk?

Law enforcement officers can conduct a stop and frisk when they observe suspicious behavior, as this aligns with the principles established in the landmark case of Terry v. Ohio. In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that officers can stop an individual if they have a reasonable suspicion that the person is involved in criminal activity. Additionally, if the officer has specific, articulable facts that indicate the person may be armed and dangerous, they are permitted to perform a limited pat-down search to ensure they are not carrying a weapon.

This approach balances the need for effective law enforcement with the protection of individual rights, allowing police officers to take necessary precautions for their safety and the safety of the public without needing the higher standard of probable cause required for an arrest or a warrant. The concept of "reasonable suspicion" is key here, as it is a lower threshold than probable cause and is based on the officer's observations and experience, rather than a mere hunch or gut feeling.