Final answer:
An officer can generally pursue a suspect into a residence in hot pursuit if there is probable cause and exigent circumstances justify the intrusion without a search warrant. Circumstances of each case are critical in determining the legality of the entry.Option 4 is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering whether an officer can pursue a suspect into a residence to effect an arrest in hot pursuit, the answer is generally yes. According to legal precedents, such as Terry v. Ohio, police may pursue a suspect without a warrant if they have probable cause to believe a crime has been committed.
However, whether or not an officer can enter a residence without a warrant also depends on the presence of exigent circumstances, which can include the imminent threat of escape, harm to others, or destruction of evidence.
In scenarios where a suspect is fleeing from a crime scene, as in the hot pursuit situation, the police have the latitude to enter a residence without first obtaining a search warrant. The law recognizes that in such cases, obtaining a warrant might not be practical due to the urgency of the situation.
As these situations often unfold quickly and involve immediate law enforcement action, the officer's entry into a residence is typically justified as long as probable cause exists.
However, the specific circumstances of each case are crucial in determining the legality of such an intrusion. Any evidence gathered under these circumstances could be subject to scrutiny in court to ensure that the officer's actions align with the Fourth Amendment, especially concerning reasonable expectations of privacy and the necessity of a search warrant.