What is the limitation regarding the time of a Terry stop?

The correct answer focuses on the principle that a Terry stop, which originates from the Supreme Court case Terry v. Ohio, must be confined to a duration that is limited to what is minimally necessary to address the officer's safety concerns and complete the investigation. This time limitation is essential to prevent such stops from becoming overly intrusive on an individual's Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures.

In practice, this means that once the purpose of the stop is fulfilled—such as confirming or dispelling a suspicion of criminal activity—the officer must allow the individual to leave. The temporal aspect of a Terry stop is closely monitored to ensure that the investigative measures are appropriate and justifiable under the circumstances. Therefore, the time must be reasonable and must not extend longer than is necessary to conduct the brief investigative inquiry.

This standard emphasizes the need for a balance between officer safety and individual rights, ensuring that while officers can act when they have reasonable suspicion, they must also respect the privacy and freedom of the person being stopped.