Stop And Frisk Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Stop And Frisk.

Stop And Frisk (n): A practice performed by law enforcement officers where they briefly stop, question, and possibly conduct a quick external pat down of a person's outer clothing if they suspect the individual may be carrying a hidden weapon or other illegal items. This type of physical search, also known as a 'pat down', does not usually require an official warrant or probable cause.