Which case determined that a detention was a seizure tantamount to an arrest?

The correct answer, Florida v. Royer, established that a detention by law enforcement can be considered a seizure that is equivalent to an arrest if the circumstances do not meet the legal requirements for a lawful stop. In this case, the Supreme Court addressed the distinction between a brief investigatory stop and an actual arrest. The court ruled that when an officer uses force or coercion to stop an individual, and the individual is not free to leave, this constitutes a seizure under the Fourth Amendment.

In Florida v. Royer, law enforcement detained an individual at an airport based on suspicion and questioned him about his luggage and travel plans. The court concluded that the nature and scope of the detention amounted to an arrest because the officers did not have probable cause at that time. This case emphasizes the importance of both the subjective intent of law enforcement and the objective circumstances of the individual's interaction with the police. It underscores how detention and arrest are connected, particularly in terms of the reasonable expectation of freedom of movement.

Understanding this case is crucial for law enforcement professionals as it guides the application of constitutional protections during encounters with individuals. It reinforces the principle that while police can conduct brief stops to investigate suspicious behavior, they must ultimately have sufficient legal justification to detain an individual longer