What must officers establish to seize items in plain view from a location?

To seize items in plain view, officers must establish access with proper legal standing. This means that officers need to have the authority or right to be in the location where they observe the items. The doctrine of "plain view" allows law enforcement to seize evidence of a crime without a warrant if they are lawfully present in the location where the evidence is visible.

Establishing proper legal standing often involves being in a public space, having lawful entry to a property, or being in a place where they have a right to be due to exigent circumstances. Without this legal justification, any items seized may be deemed inadmissible in court, as the seizure could be considered a violation of the Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures.

The other options suggested do not directly pertain to the necessary legal basis for a seizure under the plain view doctrine. Prior relationships to the property, witnesses to the seizure, and prior warnings to the property owner do not inherently grant officers the authority to seize evidence in plain view. Thus, access with proper legal standing is essential for the admissibility of evidence in legal proceedings.