Under what circumstances are police not required to obtain a search warrant?

• A. If the officer suspects a crime is ongoing but has no evidence.
• B. If the crime is non-violent.
• C. If a suspect consents to search after the fact.
• D. If the evidence may be destroyed or others may be placed in danger in the time it would take to secure the warrant.

Answer: (D)

Exigent circumstances allow police to search without a warrant when waiting to obtain one would create a risk to life or safety or would allow the imminent destruction of evidence. When the delay required to get a warrant could lead to someone being injured or evidence being spoiled or hidden, acting without a warrant is justified to prevent that harm. This specific situation—evidence that could be destroyed or others put in danger if the warrant process is pursued—fits that urgent need to act.

The other scenarios don’t create the same immediate risk. Merely suspecting a crime is ongoing without any showing of imminent danger or risk of destruction isn’t enough to bypass the warrant requirement. The fact that a crime is non-violent doesn’t by itself establish an urgent situation. And consent given after the fact doesn’t authorize a search that occurred earlier; valid consent needs to be given at the time of the search.