What must occur for property to be seized legally?

In order for property to be seized legally, there must be meaningful government interference with an individual's possessory interest in that property. This means that the government must take some concrete action that disrupts the individual's ownership or control over the property, thus establishing a seizure under the Fourth Amendment.

This concept is rooted in the principle that any action taken by the government that substantially impacts a person's ability to possess or use their property constitutes a seizure. For example, if law enforcement takes possession of a vehicle or enters a residence without consent or legal justification, that act can be classified as a seizure.

While possessing a warrant or appropriately notifying an individual may be necessary under specific circumstances, the fundamental requirement established by the Fourth Amendment is the interference with an individual's possessory interest. In summary, meaningful government interference serves as the key factor in determining whether a lawful seizure has occurred.