A frisk is limited to which action?

• A. A pat down of outer clothing to detect weapons.
• B. A full search for contraband.
• C. Pocket interior search.
• D. A search warrant is required.

Answer: (A)

A frisk is a quick, protective pat-down of a person’s outer clothing conducted when an officer has reasonable suspicion that the person may be armed and dangerous. The purpose is safety—to detect weapons that could be used against the officer or others—without turning into a full search for contraband. The scope is limited to feeling the outer garments; rummaging through pockets or searching inside clothing isn’t allowed during a frisk.

If something is immediately apparent as a weapon or dangerous item during the frisk, it can be seized. But a frisk itself is not a broad search for drugs or contraband, and it does not require a warrant.