From Paul J. Tafelski, Michigan Defense Law – When is a “Stop and Frisk” Illegal? dives into the thorny terrain of constitutional protections, police authority, and civil liberties under the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. In this episode, listeners will get a clear breakdown of when “stop and frisk” procedures cross the line into illegality, and what that means in Michigan and beyond.
We open by examining the core principle: the Fourth Amendment’s guarantee against unreasonable search and seizure. We explore how “stop and frisk” (also known as a Terry Stop, based on Terry v. Ohio) fits into that framework — what standards officers must meet, and where those practices become intrusive enough to violate constitutional rights. The podcast also references how the New York Times and decisions involving the NYPD have spotlighted issues of racial discrimination in these enforcement tactics.
Next, we walk through how Michigan law factors in. What counts as reasonable suspicion vs. probable cause? When, if ever, a person may legally refuse to show ID? We unpack how Michigan’s Vehicle Code interacts with these rules, and how state law can influence what police can and cannot demand.
Finally, we tie it all back to practical advice. If a listener believes their rights were violated by a stop and frisk, what steps can they take? We emphasize the role of legal representation, outline possible defenses or motions for evidence suppression, and invite people to reach out to Michigan Defense Law—led by Paul J. Tafelski in Oakland County—for a review of their particular case.
Paul J. Tafelski, Michigan Defense Law
2525 S Telegraph Rd suite 100, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302, United States
(248) 451-2200
https://www.google.com/maps?cid=7441820969606749572
