Which case established the 'plain view doctrine'?

Study for the Police Academy Case Law Test. Practice with multiple choice questions, each question comes with explanations. Prepare for your exam now!

The case that established the 'plain view doctrine' is Harris v. United States. This doctrine allows law enforcement officers to seize evidence of a crime without a warrant if the evidence is clearly visible to them while they are lawfully present in a location. In the Harris case, the Supreme Court ruled that if officers are in a position where they have a right to be and they see evidence of a crime in plain view, they can seize that evidence without further justification, as it is unnecessary to obtain a warrant in such instances.

The importance of this doctrine lies in balancing the needs of law enforcement to prevent crime and apprehend criminals with the constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and seizures. The 'plain view doctrine' serves to uphold public safety while respecting individuals' rights to privacy under the Fourth Amendment.

Other cases listed, while significant in the context of criminal procedure and defendants' rights, do not establish this doctrine. Mapp v. Ohio is known for the exclusionary rule, Terry v. Ohio focuses on stop-and-frisk procedures, and Miranda v. Arizona established the requirement for advising of rights during interrogation. Hence, Harris v. United States is the correct case associated with the 'plain view doctrine.'

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