Which of the following lists three common Fourth Amendment exceptions to the warrant requirement?

• A. Plain view, evidence obtained with a search warrant
• B. Exigent circumstances, consent, probable cause
• C. Exigent circumstances, consent, plain view
• D. Probable cause, consent, probable cause

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is that there are a few well-established situations where police can conduct a search or seizure without a warrant. The three commonly recognized exceptions are: exigent circumstances, consent, and plain view.

Exigent circumstances cover situations where waiting for a warrant could result in harm, the destruction of evidence, or the suspect fleeing. Consent means a person with authority voluntarily allows the search, so no warrant is needed. Plain view applies when an officer who is lawfully present sees incriminating evidence in plain sight and can seize it without conducting a search.

Why this set is the correct one: it matches the standard trio of warrantless exceptions. The other options mix in elements that aren’t themselves warrantless exceptions (for example, a warrant-based search isn’t an exception), or rely on probable cause, which is the justification for obtaining a warrant rather than an exception itself.