Which of the following is NOT an exigent circumstances exception to the warrant requirement?

• A. Hot pursuit of a felon
• B. Destruction of evidence
• C. An urgent need to prevent harm
• D. Routine administrative search of a building during business hours

Answer: (D)

In Fourth Amendment practice, exigent circumstances excuse police from obtaining a warrant when waiting would either endanger lives, allow destruction of evidence, or let a suspect escape, making quick action necessary. Hot pursuit of a felon fits this classic need for immediacy, as does preventing imminent harm and preventing destruction of evidence. A routine administrative search of a building during business hours, however, is not driven by urgency or danger and is typically conducted under a separate regulatory framework or with a proper warrant. Therefore, the routine administrative search is not an exigent circumstances exception to the warrant requirement.