Plain View Doctrine Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Plain View Doctrine.

Plain View Doctrine (noun): A rule in criminal law. It allows police officers to seize evidence of a crime without a search warrant, if it's clearly visible. For example, if a police officer sees a gun on the backseat of a car during a traffic stop, they can seize it under the Plain View Doctrine. However, the officer must be legally present at the location where they see the evidence. This doctrine does not allow the officer to enter a place without a warrant or permission.