In Connecticut, a seizure occurs when a person's movement is restrained by

• A. Physical contact
• B. Verbal commands
• C. Physical or authority
• D. The presence of a weapon

Answer: (C)

A seizure happens when someone’s movement is restrained by physical force or by a show of authority that makes a reasonable person feel they are not free to leave. In Connecticut, the defining factor is the restraint of movement through actual force or through an officer’s authoritative actions that compel compliance. This is why the best choice is the one that includes both physical restraint and a show of authority.

Physical contact alone isn’t automatically a seizure, and verbal commands by themselves don’t necessarily limit someone’s freedom to leave. The presence of a weapon also isn’t a seizure unless it accompanies restraint or a direct demand that results in submission. So, restraint by either physical means or a clear show of authority best captures when a seizure has occurred.