**Practice Test: Fourth Amendment (Unreasonable Searches & Seizures)** Answer the multiple-choice questions about when police generally need a warrant and when an exception may apply (hot pursuit, plain view, consent, border searches, vehicle searches, stop-and-frisk, and emergency/exigent circumstances). Then complete the fact-pattern response by explaining (in one paragraph) whether the search/seizure was reasonable under the Fourth Amendment.
**Practice Test: Fourth Amendment (Unreasonable Searches & Seizures)** Answer the multiple-choice questions about when police generally need a warrant and when an exception may apply (hot pursuit, plain view, consent, border searches, vehicle searches, stop-and-frisk, and emergency/exigent circumstances). Then complete the fact-pattern response by explaining (in one paragraph) whether the search/seizure was reasonable under the Fourth Amendment.
Which statement best describes the Fourth Amendment’s general rule about searches by police?
Police chase a robbery suspect from the street into the suspect’s house. The suspect runs inside and tries to slam the door. When can police enter without a warrant?
Police see a suspect run into an apartment building. They lose sight of the suspect, wait in the lobby for 30 minutes, then decide to search random apartments “just in case.” Which is most accurate?
Which set of conditions is most important for the “plain view” exception to apply?
An officer steps into a fenced backyard marked “No Trespassing” with no warrant or permission. From there, the officer sees illegal drugs through an open window and seizes them. Which is most accurate?
Which situation is most likely to be considered valid consent for a search?
A homeowner consents to police “looking for a stolen bicycle in the garage.” Which search would most likely go beyond the scope of consent?
Police ask to search an apartment. One roommate says “Yes,” but another roommate who is physically present says “No.” Which is most accurate?
A traveler arrives at a U.S. airport from another country. Customs officers search the traveler’s suitcase without a warrant. Which is most accurate for a routine border search?
Which border search is most likely to require more justification than a routine suitcase search?
During a lawful traffic stop, an officer smells marijuana coming from the car. Which statement best matches the “automobile exception”?
Police have probable cause to believe stolen jewelry is in a car. They begin searching the car. Where can they search under the automobile exception?
Police arrest a driver for driving with a suspended license. The driver is handcuffed and secured in a patrol car. When is a search of the passenger compartment most likely allowed as a search incident to arrest?
Police legally impound a car and perform an inventory search following a standard written policy. Why are inventory searches sometimes allowed without a warrant?
An officer stops a student in a hallway because the student “looked nervous.” The officer immediately pats down the student’s pockets. Which statement is most accurate under stop-and-frisk rules?
During a frisk, an officer feels a small object in a jacket pocket. The officer squeezes and manipulates it for several seconds and then decides it might be drugs, so the officer removes it. Which is most accurate?
Which statement best describes the “plain feel” idea during a lawful frisk?
Officers hear screams and loud crashing from inside a house. They believe someone may be seriously hurt. They enter without a warrant to check on safety. Which exception best fits?
Police have probable cause that a suspect is selling drugs from an apartment. They see the suspect run inside and hear a toilet flushing right away. Which reason most strongly supports a warrantless entry?
An officer is legally inside a home responding to an emergency call. While in the living room, the officer sees a bag of illegal drugs on the coffee table. What is the best answer?
Officers lawfully enter a home to provide emergency aid. After confirming everyone is safe, they begin opening drawers and closets to “look for drugs.” Which is most accurate?
Which situation best fits the “consent” exception rather than another exception?
An officer lawfully stops a pedestrian based on reasonable suspicion of burglary. Which action is most consistent with a lawful Terry stop and frisk?
Police are chasing a suspect who runs into a home. While following, an officer sees illegal firearms on a couch in the entryway and seizes them. Which combination of exceptions best explains the entry and seizure?
Fact pattern: Neighbors call 911 reporting screaming and a loud crash from Apartment 3B. Two officers arrive and hear a person inside yelling, “Stop! You’re hurting me!” The officers force the door open without a warrant. Inside, they see a person with a bleeding nose who says they are okay and want the officers to leave. While standing in the living room, an officer sees a clear bag of pills on the coffee table. The officer then walks into a bedroom and opens a dresser drawer, finding more pills.
In 1 paragraph, explain whether the officers’ actions were an unreasonable search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment. (Address: emergency entry, plain view, and the dresser drawer search.)