Which circumstance can justify a search without a warrant according to exigent circumstances?

A search without a warrant can be justified by exigent circumstances when there is a compelling need for immediate action to prevent the loss of evidence. In this context, if law enforcement suspects that evidence is present and that it may be destroyed or altered if they delay or seek a warrant, this creates a situation that necessitates immediate intervention. The urgency to preserve the evidence supersedes the typical requirement to obtain a warrant, as the likelihood of it being lost or compromised could hinder justice.

The other scenarios presented do not meet the legal threshold for exigent circumstances. For instance, simply finding a suspect in an unoccupied building does not inherently justify an immediate search without a warrant, as there may be no immediate threat to evidence. Observing a suspect leaving the scene of a crime does not provide sufficient grounds to search unless there is a reason to believe evidence might be lost. Lastly, an officer’s personal interest does not constitute a legal justification for bypassing the warrant requirement, as searches must be based on objective criteria rather than personal motivations. Hence, the rationale for choosing the second option lies in the necessity to act swiftly to uphold the integrity of evidence in the context of law enforcement procedures.