When cops do a Stop-Question-and-Frisk, does include the search of cars, bags, pockets, clothes, underclothes, etc?

[Anonymous]

When cops do a Stop-Question-and-Frisk, does include the search of cars, bags, pockets, clothes, underclothes, etc? And for what purpose would this (invasive) search by cops be done for?

[Anonymous]

A stop and frisk is called a Terry search. This is a simple pat down of the outer clothing to detect weapons for officer safety. There only needs to be reasonable suspicion that a crime may have been committed, so police have pretty wide discretion here. They cannot reach in your pockets unless they feel a weapon and cannot search your vehicle or bags. If during their questioning they determine that probable cause exists that evidence is inside the vehicle and there is no time to obtain a warrant before the vehicle leaves the scene, they can go ahead and search the vehicle. This is a higher standard. Evidence of the crime must exist in addition to suspicion and is called a Carroll search. If you’re placed under arrest, your person, vehicle, bags, etc. are all subject to thorough search. So how far they’re allowed to go is based on the facts and circumstances that exist at the time.