Exigent circumstances justify warrantless action. Which two examples illustrate this concept?

• A. Hot pursuit of a felon and imminent danger to life
• B. Waiting for a warrant
• C. Routine traffic stop
• D. A consent search with owner present

Answer: (D)

Exigent circumstances allow officers to act without a warrant when delaying action would create a risk to safety or could result in the loss of evidence. The best illustration is the scenario that lists two classic exigent situations: hot pursuit of a felon and imminent danger to life. In hot pursuit, officers must chase and apprehend a suspect without pause to obtain a warrant, because any delay could enable the suspect to escape or cause more harm. In a case of imminent danger to life, immediate action is needed to protect someone from harm, so a warrant delay would be unjustifiable. The other options describe situations that are not exigent: waiting for a warrant is the opposite of exigency; routine traffic stops are standard, non-emergent encounters; and a search based on voluntary consent does not rely on urgent circumstances, but on consent given by the owner.