What does the plain view doctrine allow an officer to do?

The plain view doctrine permits law enforcement officers to seize objects that are clearly visible without needing a warrant, provided they have a legal right to be in the location where they observe these objects. This principle is grounded in the idea that if an officer is lawfully positioned in a place—such as during a traffic stop or in a public area—they can take action on evidence of a crime that is in plain sight.

For the doctrine to apply, a few conditions must be met: the officer must be present lawfully, the item must be in plain view, and it must be immediately apparent that the item is evidence of a crime or contraband. This allows officers to act swiftly in preventing the loss of evidence or ensuring public safety without the delays associated with obtaining a warrant first.

In contrast, other options provided suggest actions that do not align with established legal norms. Conducting thorough searches without probable cause typically requires a warrant, while arresting individuals merely based on suspicion contradicts the need for probable cause. Additionally, undercover surveillance methods fall within a different realm of law enforcement practices that do not pertain to the plain view doctrine.