pennsylvania mimms argued decided december police officers stopped respondent automobile operated expired license plate one officers asked respondent step car produce license registration respondent alighted large bulge jacket noticed officer thereupon frisked found loaded revolver respondent arrested subsequently indicted carrying concealed weapon unlicensed firearm motion suppress revolver denied trial revolver introduced evidence convicted pennsylvania reversed ground revolver seized violation fourth amendment held order get car issued respondent lawfully detained reasonable thus permissible fourth amendment state proffered justification order officer safety legitimate weighty intrusion respondent personal liberty occasioned order mere inconvenience prevail balanced legitimate concerns officer safety standard announced terry ohio whether facts available officer moment seizure search warrant man reasonable caution belief action taken appropriate officer justified making search bulge respondent jacket observed per curiam petitioner commonwealth seeks review judgment pennsylvania reversing respondent conviction carrying concealed deadly weapon firearm without license reversed conviction held respondent revolver seized manner violated fourth amendment constitution disagree conclusion grant commonwealth petition certiorari reverse judgment pennsylvania facts dispute routine patrol two philadelphia police officers observed respondent harry mimms driving automobile expired license plate officers stopped vehicle purpose issuing traffic summons one officers approached asked respondent step car produce owner card operator license respondent alighted whereupon officer noticed large bulge respondent sports jacket fearing bulge might weapon officer frisked respondent discovered waistband revolver loaded five rounds ammunition occupant car carrying revolver respondent immediately arrested subsequently indicted carrying concealed deadly weapon unlawfully carrying firearm without license motion suppress revolver denied trial revolver introduced evidence respondent convicted counts previously indicated pennsylvania reversed respondent conviction however holding revolver suppressed seized contrary guarantees contained fourth fourteenth amendments constitution pennsylvania doubt officers acted reasonably stopping car also willing assume arguendo limited search weapons proper officer observed bulge respondent coat nonetheless thought search constitutionally infirm officer order respondent get car impermissible seizure officer point objective observable facts support suspicion criminal activity afoot occupants vehicle posed threat police safety since unconstitutional intrusion led directly observance bulge subsequent pat revolver fruit unconstitutional search view pennsylvania suppressed agree conclusion touchstone analysis fourth amendment always reasonableness circumstances particular governmental invasion citizen personal security terry ohio reasonableness course depends balance public interest individual right personal security free arbitrary interference law officers case unlike terry ohio question propriety initial restrictions respondent freedom movement respondent driving automobile expired license tags violation pennsylvania motor vehicle code deferring moment legality frisk bulge observed need presently deal narrow question whether order get car issued driver lawfully detained reasonable thus permissible fourth amendment inquiry must therefore focus intrusion resulting request stop vehicle later pat incremental intrusion resulting request get car vehicle lawfully stopped placing question narrowed frame look first side balance bears officer interest taking action state freely concedes officer reason suspect foul play particular driver time stop nothing unusual suspicious behavior apparently practice order drivers vehicles matter course whenever stopped traffic violation state argues practice adopted precautionary measure afford degree protection officer may justified ground establishing confrontation diminishes possibility otherwise substantial driver make unobserved movements turn reduces likelihood officer victim assault think plain argument state proffered justification safety officer legitimate weighty certainly unreasonable require police officers take unnecessary risks performance duties terry ohio supra specifically recognized inordinate risk confronting officer approaches person seated automobile according one study approximately police shootings occurred police officer approached suspect seated automobile bristow police officer shootings tactical evaluation crim adams williams aware assaults occur issuing traffic summons expressly declined accept argument traffic violations necessarily involve less danger officers types confrontations robinson indeed appears significant percentage murders police officers occurs officers making traffic stops hazard accidental injury passing traffic officer standing driver side vehicle may also appreciable situations rather conversing standing exposed moving traffic officer prudently may prefer ask driver vehicle step car onto shoulder road inquiry may pursued greater safety important interest asked weigh intrusion driver personal liberty occasioned initial stop vehicle admittedly justified order get car think additional intrusion described de minimis driver asked expose view little person already exposed police already lawfully decided driver shall briefly detained question whether shall spend period sitting driver seat car standing alongside insistence police latter choice serious intrusion upon sanctity person hardly rises level petty indignity terry ohio supra mere inconvenience prevail balanced legitimate concerns officer safety remains second question propriety search bulge jacket observed little doubt point first answer controlled terry ohio supra case thought officer justified conducting limited search weapons reasonably concluded person legitimately stopped might armed presently dangerous standard enunciated case whether facts available officer moment seizure search warrant man reasonable caution belief action taken appropriate little question officer justified bulge jacket permitted officer conclude mimms armed thus posed serious present danger safety officer circumstances man reasonable caution likely conducted pat respondent motion proceed forma pauperis granted petition writ certiorari granted judgment pennsylvania reversed case remanded proceedings inconsistent opinion ordered footnotes note brief opposition grant certiorari respondent contends case moot already completed maximum sentence imposed case argues terminated purposes time regardless disposition matter see pierre cases sibron new york street new york carafas lavallee ginsberg new york bear witness fact long since departed rule announced pierre supra recent cases held possibility criminal defendant suffering collateral legal consequences sentence already served permits claims reviewed merits prospect state visiting collateral consequences criminal defendant served sentence sufficient burden enable seek reversal decision affirming conviction prospect state inability impose burden following reversal conviction criminal defendant courts must likewise sufficient enable state obtain review claims merits future state criminal proceedings respondent conviction may relevant setting bail length sentence availability probation cons stat ann purdon supp rule crim proc view fact respondent fully served state sentence presently incarcerated federal penitentiary lewisburg say considerations unduly speculative even determination mootness depended analysis operating improperly licensed motor vehicle time incident covered laws found stat tit purdon repealed laws effective july offense appears covered cons stat ann purdon state need go far suggest officer may frisk occupants car stopped traffic violation rather argues permissible order driver car particular case argues state driver alighted officer independent reason suspect criminal activity present danger upon basis mere fact respondent committed traffic violation conducted search contrary suggestion dissent brother stevens post hold today whenever officer occasion speak driver vehicle may also order driver car hold motor vehicle lawfully detained traffic violation police officers may order driver get vehicle without violating fourth amendment proscription unreasonable searches seizures justice marshall dissenting join brother stevens dissenting opinion write separately emphasize extent today departs teachings tery ohio terry policeman detained frisked petitioner years patrolling area downtown cleveland incident occurred experience led watch petitioner companion carefully long period time individually repeatedly looked store window conferred together suspecting two men might casing store stickup might guns officer followed walked away joined third man earlier conferred point officer approached men asked names mumbled something response officer grabbed petitioner spun around face two patted clothing frisk led discovery pistol petitioner subsequent weapons conviction stop frisk terry thus justified probability crime committed also crime likely involve use weapons confined holding situations officer believes persons dealing may armed presently dangerous fear others safety situation held present adams williams involved person reported carrying concealed weapon see instant case officer even slightest hint prior ordering respondent car respondent might gun notes ante officer reason suspect foul play car stopped routine police procedures issuance summons expired license plate yet holds officer made routine stop justified imposing additional intrusion ordering respondent car regardless whether individualized reason fear respondent result explained terry limited nature intrusion reference reason stop held officer action must reasonably related scope circumstances justified interference first place terry obvious connection emphasized officer suspicion armed robbery planned frisk weapons instant case circumstance justified interference first place expired license plate simply relation circumstance order step car institutional aspects decision trouble much substantive result extends terry expressly narrow holding see solely basis certiorari papers process summarily reverses considered judgment pennsylvania highest disposition engender respect work deciding important issue reach ing case barely escapes mootness noted justice stevens post may well resolved state remand event simply reinforces view institutional well doctrinal damage course pursues today dissent see also scope search must strictly tied justified circumstances rendered initiation permissible professor ernest brown wrote nearly years ago ummary reversal certiorari papers appears many cases raise serious question whether decision without hearing usually thought due judicial tribunals question whether pay disproportionate price public regard defeats counsel reasonable expectation hearing based upon rules exercises certiorari jurisdiction deal problems national legal significance hardly needs demonstration matters warrant hearing merits term foreword process law harv rev remand pennsylvania open option reaching result originally reached state counterpart fourth amendment pa art rather federal constitution disposition independent adequate state ground way foreclosed decision today review decision nature see generally brennan state constitutions protection individual rights harv rev project report toward activist role state bills rights harv civ lib rev addition respondent conviction may reversed ground entirely unrelated search issue trial prosecutor questioned defense witness respondent religious affiliation matter raised direct examination witness two concurring justices pennsylvania contended questioning provided independent reason reversing respondent conviction pennsylvania law nix joined concurring justice stevens justice brennan justice marshall join dissenting almost years ago terry ohio held probable cause required justify every seizure person police officer case decided six months deliberation following full argument unusually elaborate briefing approval terry lesser standard certain limited situations represented major development fourth amendment jurisprudence today without argument adopts still another even lesser standard justification major category police seizures importantly appears abandon central teaching fourth amendment jurisprudence ordinarily required individualized inquiry particular facts justifying every police intrusion favor general rule covering countless situations disturbing fact important innovation announced almost casually course explaining summary reversal decision even bother review since mimms already served sentence importance reinstating conviction minimal best even pennsylvania afforded greater protection required federal constitution conviction may invalid state law moreover pennsylvania may still construe constitution prohibit described indiscriminate procedure ordering traffic offenders vehicles events whatever error state committed affects commonwealth pennsylvania decision creates conflict requiring resolution national level cases considerations cause us deny certiorari doubt legitimate concern safety police officers throughout nation prompts give case expeditious treatment share concern acutely aware almost every decision holding individual fourth amendment rights invaded makes law enforcement somewhat difficult hazardous however sufficient reason reach decide every new fourth amendment issue promptly possible area constitutional adjudication others paramount importance benefit differing judicial evaluations issue finally resolved nationwide basis case illustrates two ways haste introduce new element confusion already complex set rules first based legal ruling factual assumption police safety dubious best second created entirely new legal standard justification intrusions liberty citizen without attempt differentiate among multitude varying situations officer may approach person seated automobile characterizes officer risk inordinate basis statement according one study approximately police shootings occurred police officer approached suspect seated automobile bristow police officer shootings tactical evaluation crim adams williams ante cases location suspect shot officer verified cases suspect seated behind wheel car figure seems include cases shooting occurred officer opportunity order suspect get nine cases suspect outside car talking officer shooting occurred figures tell us little risk associated routine traffic stop lend support assumption ordering routine traffic offender car significantly enhances officer safety arguably order actually aggravate officer danger fear search might cause serious offender take desperate action unnecessary remained vehicle ticketed whatever reason significant experts area human behavior strongly recommend police officer never allow violator get car obviously purpose express opinion safest procedure followed making traffic arrests imply arresting officer faces significant hazard even apparently routine situation submit however matter hard try totally eliminate danger associated law enforcement adopting nationwide rule give consideration infinite variety situations today holding may applied seriously believe risk arresting officer universal safety always reasonable justification ordering driver car commuter way home dinner parent driving children school tourist circling capitol family sunday afternoon outing hardly pose threat driver curbed chase area late night universally true driver interest remaining car negligible woman stopped night may fear safety person poor health may object standing cold rain another left home haste drive children spouse school train may fully dressed elderly driver presents possible threat violence may regard police command nothing arrogant unnecessary display authority whether viewed standpoint officer interest safety citizen interest required obey arbitrary command perfectly obvious millions traffic stops occur every year fungible today law applicable seizures person required individualized inquiry reason intrusion comparable guarantee arbitrary harassment factual demonstration probable cause required justify arrest articulable reason suspect criminal activity possible violence needed justify stop frisk eliminate requirement officer able explain reasons actions signals abandonment effective judicial supervision kind seizure leaves police discretion utterly without limits citizens subjected minor indignity others perhaps expensive cars different bumper stickers skin may escape entirely holds today seizures may imposed without reason large class seizures may become yet know narrowly simply held whenever officer occasion speak driver vehicle may also order driver car balance convenience danger different passengers stopped cars logic necessarily encompasses passenger true even though passenger committed traffic offense rule limited situations individualized inquiry identified basis concern particular cases character violation might justify different treatment driver passenger justification rests nothing assumption danger associated every stop matter trivial offense new rule must apply passenger well driver new rule truly predicated safety rationale rather desire permit pretextual searches also justify frisk weapons least order directing driver lean hood car legs arms spread unless precautionary measures also taken added safety driver car value truly dangerous offender happens caught yet persuaded interest police safety requires adoption standard lenient permitted terry ohio case offense might well gone undetected respondent ordered car reason assume otherwise shot officer indeed showing aware terry standard provide police sufficient basis take appropriate protective measures whenever real basis concern concern exist able frisk violator question need eliminate requirement articulable justification case authorize indiscriminate invasion liberty every citizen stopped traffic violation matter petty even pennsylvania committed error sufficient justification exercise discretionary power grant review summary disposition novel constitutional question kind disposition gives rise unacceptable risk error creates unfortunate impression interested upholding power state vindicating individual rights idaho dept employment smith ante stevens dissenting part respectfully dissent grant certiorari decision merits without full argument briefing briefs amici curiae urging reversal filed jack greenberg james nabrit iii michael meltsner melvyn zarr anthony amsterdam naacp legal defense educational fund bernard berkman melvin wulf alan levine american civil liberties union et al briefs amici curiae urging affirmance filed solicitor general griswold assistant attorney general vinson ralph spritzer beatrice rosenberg mervyn hamburg louis lefkowitz pro se samuel hirshowitz first assistant attorney general maria marcus brenda soloff assistant attorneys general attorney general new york charles moylan evelle younger harry wood national district attorneys assn james thompson americans effective law enforcement see dispute ordering mimms car seizure seizure occurs whenever officer means physical force show authority way restrain liberty citizen see also adams williams terry made clear reasonableness search determined inquiry facts case justifying particular intrusion police officer must able point specific articulable facts taken together rational inferences facts reasonably warrant intrusion demand specificity information upon police action predicated central teaching fourth amendment jurisprudence citing long list authorities reasons stated opinion agree case moot nevertheless fact case barely escapes mootness supports conclusion certiorari denied two members persuaded introducing testimony mimms muslim religious beliefs prejudicial error three others specifically reserved issue cf state opperman rev judgment reinstated state constitution author pointed attempt made obtain random selection cases extremely hard collect bristow police officer shootings tactical evaluation crim ibid since presumably basis figure used statement text indicates however cases involved police officers approaching parked vehicle whether incidents involved routine traffic offenses driving expired license tag indicated study past years police officers murdered fbi uniform crime reports approximately killings year occurred traffic pursuits stops clear many pursuits stops involved offenses reckless driving rather offenses driving expired license often shootings avoided ordering driver dismount never allow violator get car stand left get avoided walk rear right side car quite obviously much safer area conduct conversation folley police patrol techniques tactics emphasis original another authority even explicit officer stand slightly rear front door doorpost prevent violator suddenly opening door striking officer order thoroughly protect much possible officer reach weak hand push lock button window open give indication driver remain inside vehicle also force driver turn head talk officer officer advise violator stopped explain action officer intends take whether verbal written warning written citation suspect attempts exit vehicle officer push door closed lock possible tell driver please stay car request identification desires request violator hand material window away vehicle officer stare identification return vehicle backing away suspect car patrolman backs away keep eyes occupant officer remain outside patrol unit use radio write ticket recommended position time right side patrol unit driver violator vehicle make exit seat officer direct violator rear center vehicle front center area patrol unit preferably officer verbally attempt get violator remain vehicle yount vehicle stops manual misdemeanor felony government intrusions must justified particularity narrowly cabined contexts inspections pursuant general regulatory scheme stops border checkpoints best known exceptions particularity requirement even limited exceptions fit within broader rule general populace never subjected seizures without assurance intruding officials acting carefully limited grant discretion health safety inspections may conducted inspectors obtain warrants though warrants may broader ordinary search warrant officials may wander large city conducting inspections without reason camara municipal similar assurances regularity fairness found public fixed checkpoints heckpoint operations appear actually involve less discretionary enforcement activity stops roving patrols regularized manner established checkpoints operated visible evidence reassuring motorists stops duly authorized believed serve public interest location fixed checkpoint chosen officers field officials responsible making overall decisions effective allocation limited enforcement resources may assume officials unlikely locate checkpoint bears arbitrarily oppressively motorists class since field officers may stop cars passing checkpoint less room abusive harassing stops individuals case stops terry ohio supra harlan concurring full search incident lawful arrest requires additional justification limited frisk incident lawful stop must often rapid routine reason officer rightfully forcibly confronting person suspected serious crime ask one question take risk answer might bullet foreclose possibility full argument convince analysis merits correct limited experience convinced one initial impression novel issue frequently different final evaluation