The Fourth Amendment is violated when law enforcement officers arrest a suspect at the door of his home while he remains inside the home without exigent circumstances. Which scenario best reflects this principle?

• A. Arresting a suspect at the door while he remains inside the home without exigent circumstances.
• B. Arresting after crossing the threshold.
• C. Arresting in the yard with the door closed.
• D. Arresting with a warrant.

Answer: (A)

The protection of the home is the key idea here: police cannot arrest someone inside a dwelling without a warrant or exigent circumstances. Being at the door with the suspect still inside and no urgent need to act is effectively attempting to arrest inside the home without the proper authorization, which violates the Fourth Amendment. That is why this scenario best reflects the principle.

Arresting after crossing the threshold would still involve entering the home to make the arrest, which requires a warrant or exigent circumstances. Arresting in the yard happens outside the home, where a warrant or other lawful basis is typically sufficient. Arresting with a warrant is the proper, lawful way to arrest someone in a residence.