Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Practice Exam

What term describes the doctrine that allows officers to seize contraband recognized by touch?

1. Plain view doctrine

2. Plain touch or feel doctrine

3. Stop and frisk doctrine

4. Probable cause doctrine

The correct answer is: Plain touch or feel doctrine

The term that describes the doctrine allowing officers to seize contraband recognized by touch is referred to as the plain touch or feel doctrine. This principle stems from the broader concept of the plain view doctrine but specifically addresses situations where an officer, during a lawful interaction, can identify illegal items through tactile sensation. When an officer lawfully approaches an individual or a situation, if they come into direct contact with an object that they can identify as contraband—such as illegal drugs or weapons—through their sense of touch, the law permits them to seize that item without a warrant. This doctrine ensures that officers can act on their immediate perceptions, enhancing the effectiveness of law enforcement while still respecting Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures. The plain view doctrine, while related, applies primarily to visual observation rather than tactile recognition. Similarly, the stop and frisk doctrine pertains to the authority of officers to stop and pat down individuals for weapons based on reasonable suspicion, but it does not specifically focus on the tactile identification of contraband. Lastly, the probable cause doctrine deals more broadly with the legal standard required for arrests and obtaining search warrants, which does not specifically address the tactile recognition of contraband.