Criminal possession: The unlawful possession of certain prohibited articles, such as illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia, firearms, or stolen property.
Constructive possession: or dominion over a property without actual possession or custody of it. — Also termed effective possession.
Joint Possession: Possession shared by two or more persons.
Simple possession: The possession of a controlled substance with no aggravating circumstances such as intent to sell.
Probable cause: A reasonable ground to suspect that a person has committed or is committing a crime or that a place contains specific items connected with a crime. Under the Fourth Amendment, probable cause — which amounts to more than a bare suspicion but less than evidence that would justify a conviction — must be shown before an arrest warrant or search warrant may be issued.
Reasonable suspicion: particularized and objective basis, supported by specific and articulable facts, for suspecting a person of criminal activity. • A police officer must have a reasonable suspicion to stop a person in a public place.
Terry stop: A police officer’s brief detention, questioning, and search of a person for a concealed weapon when the officer reasonably suspects that the person has committed or is about to commit a crime.
Search warrant: A judge’s written order authorizing a law-enforcement officer to conduct a search of a specified place and to seize evidence.