What is the Plain Feel Doctrine concerning items an officer can seize?

The Plain Feel Doctrine allows a law enforcement officer to seize items discovered through the sense of touch during a lawful stop and frisk, provided that the officer can immediately recognize the object as contraband without needing to manipulate it further. This means that if an officer feels an object in a suspect's pocket and can instantly identify it as illegal or criminal evidence – such as a weapon or drugs – they are permitted to seize it without violating the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

This principle is closely tied to the broader concept of "plain view," which asserts that evidence may be seized without a warrant if it is readily observable to an officer. The core requirement is that the officer must have probable cause to believe that the item is contraband solely based on the tactile sensation and their experience, without any further exploration or examination of the object. This ensures that the individual’s rights are balanced with law enforcement’s need to maintain safety and enforce the law effectively.