If an officer was specifically patting down a suspect for weapons,but came across an item in the person's pocket that was in a shape consistent with contraband,such as narcotics,would the officer be able to seize the item and arrest the person?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Under the "plain feel" doctrine, if an officer conducting a frisk for weapons feels an object whose contour immediately identifies it as contraband, he or she may seize the object. However, the officer must be able to establish probable cause to believe the object is contraband before it can be used as evidence in court.

If an Officer Was Specifically Patting Down a Suspect for Weapons,but