A mid-trip stop circuit breaker (10) having a handle (160) adapted for displacement about an axis of rotation (170) between a first position and a second position. The handle (160) being linked to a member (500) whose position corresponds to a rotation position of the handle, a spring (560) urging the handle (160) toward the second position. A stop surface (510) displaceably supported in relation to the axis of rotation being selectively disposed along a path of the member (500) at a middle position of a transition path. The handle (160) being adapted to engage the member (500) and counter a force of the spring (560) to retain the handle (160) in a middle position of a transition path. When a sufficient manual force is applied to a handle (160) at the middle position of the transition path, the stop member surface (592) will allow the handle (160) to move the second position. In the absence of the sufficient manual force, the stop surface (510) impedes displacement of the handle (160) and retains it in the middle of the transition path.