What does the case Terry v Ohio establish regarding law enforcement practices?

The case Terry v. Ohio, decided in 1968, established the principle that law enforcement officers are permitted to stop and briefly detain individuals if they have a reasonable suspicion that the person may be involved in criminal activity. This decision created a significant precedent for the practice known as "stop and frisk," allowing officers to investigate potential criminal behavior without the need for a warrant or probable cause, provided they have specific and articulable facts that justify their suspicion.

The ruling emphasized that the Fourth Amendment does not prohibit police from stopping someone based on reasonable grounds for suspicion, thus balancing the need for police to maintain public safety with the need to protect individual rights. This case is frequently referenced in discussions about police procedures and the limits of their legal authority during stops.