During a Terry Stop, what may officers seize during a pat down?

During a Terry Stop, officers are permitted to seize items that they reasonably believe to be weapons or contraband based on the "plain feel" doctrine. This principle arises from the Supreme Court case Terry v. Ohio, which established the legality of limited stops and searches in certain circumstances to protect officer safety and preserve evidence.

During a pat down, officers can legally touch the outer clothing of an individual to determine if they are carrying weapons. If, while conducting this search, they feel an object that they immediately recognize as a weapon or contraband, they are justified in seizing that item. The key element here is the officer's reasonable belief based on their experience and the tactile information they receive during the pat down.

This standard ensures that law enforcement can respond to potential threats while also respecting individuals' Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures. Other options might suggest seizing any visible items, focusing solely on drugs, or restricting searches to firearms, but the correct answer encompasses a broader range of potential items that could pose a danger or involve criminal activity, as identified through the officer's reasonable perceptions during the search.