When do exigent circumstances justify a warrantless search?
A. General Rule. If probable cause is present, Service officers may immediately search for and seize evidence that they reasonably believe will be destroyed or removed to another location before they can secure a search warrant. The Supreme Court recognized that law enforcement officers encounter such exigent circumstances and ruled that where probable cause exists, warrantless searches are necessary to prevent the loss of evidence. B. Hot Pursuit. Service officers may pursue a suspect into private premises if they have probable cause to arrest the suspect for a serious crime and there are exigent circumstances. The pursuit must be immediate and continuous from the point the subject is encountered. Misdemeanor violations are not considered serious crimes for this exception to the warrant requirement. Such circumstances must be documented as soon as is reasonably possible after the pursuit. 1.18 When may Service officers conduct a consent search? A. General Rule. Service officers may co
