In hot pursuit, if the suspect enters a residence, what may the officers do?

• A. Officers May Enter the Residence
• B. Officers Must Obtain a Warrant
• C. Officers Must Stop Pursuit at the Threshold
• D. Officers May Only Observe From Outside

Answer: (A)

In hot pursuit, entering a residence without a warrant is allowed because the urgency to apprehend a suspect who has fled indoors to avoid capture creates an exigent circumstance. Delaying to obtain a warrant could let the suspect vanish or cause harm, so officers may follow into the home to continue the pursuit and make the arrest. This is not about overreaching; the action is narrowly tied to completing the pursuit and ensuring safety. Observing from outside or stopping at the threshold would defeat the purpose of the pursuit, and requiring a warrant would undermine timely arrest.