What is required to legally conduct a frisk search?

To legally conduct a frisk search, the requirement is that the officer must have reasonable suspicion that the individual possesses a weapon. This standard arises from the U.S. Supreme Court case Terry v. Ohio, which established that law enforcement officers can conduct a limited pat-down of a person's outer clothing for weapons when they have a reasonable belief that the person is armed and dangerous.

This reasonable suspicion must be based on specific and articulable facts, not just a vague hunch. It is important to note that a frisk is not a full search for evidence but a brief, limited search to ensure officer safety.

The other conditions, such as needing a search warrant or waiting for the suspect to consent, are not prerequisites for a frisk. Similarly, while witnessing a crime being committed could provide probable cause for an arrest or search, it is not necessary for a frisk, which is more focused on officer safety regarding potential weapons.