term:

Plain View

plain view n

1 : a location or field of perception in which something is plainly apparent
2 : a doctrine that permits the search, seizure, and use of evidence obtained without a search warrant when such evidence was plainly perceptible in the course of lawful procedure and the police had probable cause to believe it was incriminating see also inadvertent discovery compare fruit of the poisonous tree

Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.