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Simple English definitions for legal terms

plain view doctrine

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A quick definition of plain view doctrine:

The plain view doctrine is a rule that allows police officers to take evidence of a crime without a warrant if they can see it clearly. This means that if an officer is in a place where they have a legal right to be and they see something that is evidence of a crime, they can take it without a warrant. However, if the officer did something illegal to get to that place, they cannot use the plain view doctrine. The officer does not have to accidentally find the evidence, they can look for it on purpose as long as they are in a legal place.

A more thorough explanation:

Plain view doctrine is a rule that allows police officers to seize evidence of a crime without a warrant when the evidence is clearly visible. This means that if an officer sees something illegal in plain sight, they can take it as evidence. It is an exception to the Fourth Amendment's right to be free from searches without a warrant.

For the plain view doctrine to apply, the officer must have a lawful right to access or observe the seized object. This means that if the officer violated any laws in arriving at the location or situation where they had access or sight to the object, then the plain view doctrine does not apply.

One example of the plain view doctrine is the case of Horton v. California. In this case, the officer had a warrant to enter a robber's home and seize property stolen through an armed robbery. The officer did not find the stolen goods but found the weapons that he suspected the robber used in the robbery in plain sight, and properly seized them under the plain view doctrine even though he did not have a warrant for the weapons.

Another example is the case of INS v. Delgado. Immigration enforcement officers entered a factory pursuant to consent and had consent-based encounters with the employees, which meant that they lawfully situated themselves. While there, they saw evidence of illegal activity in plain view and were able to seize it under the plain view doctrine.

Overall, the plain view doctrine allows officers to seize evidence without a warrant if it is in plain sight and they have a lawful right to access or observe it.

Plain Feel Doctrine | Plain-language law

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shaquilleoatmeal
11:14
damn couldnt even get to Christmas dinner before this question lmao im not looking for anything serious rn so no updates lol
11:14
i made out with my ex in a stairwell the other day if you care. my only update
shaquilleoatmeal
11:14
oof
shaquilleoatmeal
11:14
twitter ex or a different ex
11:15
different ex
windyMagician
11:15
since its not Twitter dude I'll forgive it
shaquilleoatmeal
11:17
at least you did that before the new year, cant carry that baggage in 25
11:17
I think he thinks if I move to nyc we’re going to get back together
11:17
that’s not my plan tbh
jackfrost11770
11:18
this is so funny
shaquilleoatmeal
11:19
lmao damn wish id be classmates with this dude
shaquilleoatmeal
11:20
@cheriebomb: you never know what the future holds
jackfrost11770
11:20
also cherie fallen soldier
jackfrost11770
11:20
i got home at 8 am from the club and my neighbor was leaving to go biking. truly living in different worlds
11:20
i don’t fw him that heavy tbh
11:21
i get along better with his friends than i do with him
windyMagician
11:21
nah the hiking in Nike blazers deserves jail time
11:21
he was already vomiting and shitting in a hole I think he did his penance
windyMagician
11:26
call that restorative justice
11:35
they put a place in the UK second. I don’t trust their methodology
shaquilleoatmeal
11:35
im laughin cause it definitely isnt but the fact that some people this it is is comical
shaquilleoatmeal
11:35
tink*
shaquilleoatmeal
11:35
think jee
shaquilleoatmeal
11:35
jeez - im over it
11:37
imagine saying you want to go to boston for christmas 💀
shaquilleoatmeal
11:40
imagine you not wanting to go what lmao
13:55
not impressed by the fact that they have a park and some buildings. who doesn't
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