What is the main legal significance of Terry v. Ohio?

The case of Terry v. Ohio is a landmark decision in the realm of criminal justice that fundamentally established the legal parameters for what is commonly referred to as a "stop and frisk." In this ruling, the United States Supreme Court held that law enforcement officers are permitted to stop a person to investigate potential criminal activity based on reasonable suspicion and to conduct a limited pat-down or frisk for weapons if they believe the individual might be armed and dangerous.

This decision balances the need for police officers to ensure their own safety and the safety of the public while simultaneously respecting an individual's Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures. It signifies that an officer does not require probable cause to conduct a frisk—only reasonable suspicion based on specific and articulable facts. This ruling has had a profound impact on policing practices, emphasizing the importance of reasonable suspicion as a standard for temporary detentions, thereby shaping the relationship between law enforcement and communities in matters of public safety.

The other options do not relate to this case and therefore do not hold the same legal significance as the ruling regarding "stop and frisk."