4th Amendment
2009

United States v. Davis

<verification required>

The Supreme Court ruling that anchors one of the POP phrases. Plain-English summary below, with the precise phrase to invoke and when to use it.

Phrase to invoke
"Am I being detained, or am I free to go?"

When to use this phrase Timing

At the point a detention narrows into what looks like a frisk. Force the officer to define the basis — if the lawful basis is only a traffic stop, the frisk itself must connect to weapons, not to rummaging.

The ruling in plain English

The Supreme Court reaffirmed that a Terry frisk is limited in scope to a pat-down for weapons, justified by a reasonable, articulable suspicion that the person is armed and dangerous. The frisk is not a license to manipulate or empty pockets absent that suspicion.

United States v. Davis, <verification required>

Use This Phrase During Your Stop

Open Stop Mode on your phone — pinned phrase, recording timer, and live legal context.

Open Stop Mode