North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) State Practice Exam

In what situation can officers enter a residence without consent or a search warrant?

1. When they suspect drug activity

2. When there are exigent circumstances

3. When the suspect is a known fugitive

4. When the crime is under investigation

The correct answer is: When there are exigent circumstances

Officers can enter a residence without consent or a search warrant in a situation involving exigent circumstances. This doctrine allows law enforcement to bypass the warrant requirement when they have a reasonable belief that immediate action is necessary to prevent physical harm, the destruction of evidence, or the escape of a suspect. Exigent circumstances generally arise in scenarios such as a hot pursuit of a suspect, an active situation where officers believe that someone inside the residence may be in danger, or if there is a risk that evidence may be destroyed before a warrant can be obtained. The essence of this principle is rooted in the necessity of protecting life and preventing the immediate loss of evidence, which justifies the urgency of the officers' actions and underscores the need for rapid response. The other options do not provide a legal basis for warrantless entry. Simply suspecting drug activity, knowing a suspect's status, or having a general investigation are not sufficient grounds for bypassing the constitutional requirement of a warrant without additional pressing conditions that would constitute exigent circumstances.