In cases of exigent circumstances, what can police do without a warrant?

In situations involving exigent circumstances, law enforcement officers are permitted to take certain actions without a warrant to prevent immediate harm or to protect evidence from being destroyed. This principle is grounded in the need for public safety and the preservation of evidence in urgent scenarios, where waiting for a warrant would not be practical or safe.

Entering private property to prevent immediate harm aligns with the exigent circumstances doctrine, as it allows police to act quickly in situations where lives are at risk or urgent intervention is required. This might occur, for example, if officers hear screams or see signs of a violent situation happening inside a home.

Other options, such as conducting an extensive search of all areas, apprehending a fleeing suspect, or searching only for items listed in a warrant, either exceed the limitations established by exigent circumstances or do not apply appropriately within the context. The actions allowed under exigent circumstances are typically limited to addressing the immediate threat or securing evidence that may be at risk of being destroyed, rather than conducting a broad search or pursuing verifiable suspects without additional constraints.