What must an officer have to justify a Terry stop of a package?

To justify a Terry stop of a package, an officer must have reasonable articulable suspicion that the package holds contraband. This standard is derived from the legal principle established in Terry v. Ohio, which allows law enforcement to briefly detain an individual if they have a reasonable belief that the person is involved in criminal activity.

In the context of a package, reasonable articulable suspicion may arise from various factors, such as behavior observed in conjunction with the package, prior knowledge of the sender or recipient, or other suspicious circumstances surrounding the package. This level of suspicion is lower than the probable cause standard required for warrants but sufficient to justify a limited investigatory detention.

The other options involve higher thresholds or different requirements. For instance, probable cause, which is a more stringent standard, is necessary for obtaining a search warrant or making an arrest but is not required for a Terry stop. Similarly, a warrant issued for the package would not be necessary if the officer has reasonable suspicion. A tip-off from an informant could potentially contribute to reasonable suspicion, but it is not a standalone requirement to justify a Terry stop of a package. Thus, the correct understanding reflects the need for reasonable articulable suspicion in this context.