Under what conditions can you enter a house without a warrant?

Entering a house without a warrant is permissible under certain conditions, and one of the primary conditions includes exigent circumstances. These refer to emergency situations where immediate action is necessary to prevent physical harm, the destruction of evidence, or the escape of a suspect.

Hot pursuit is another valid reason that allows law enforcement to enter a premises without a warrant. This applies in situations where officers are chasing a suspect who is fleeing and may enter a home in an effort to apprehend that individual without delay.

Consent from the individual in control of the premises also allows officers to enter without a warrant. If the homeowner or resident explicitly gives permission for officers to enter, then police can conduct a search without needing to obtain a warrant first.

Combining these elements, the answer accurately represents the conditions under which warrantless entry is justified: exigent circumstances, hot pursuit, and consent. Each of these elements is grounded in the need to balance the rights of individuals with the requirement for law enforcement to perform their duties effectively, particularly in situations that require immediate response.