Under what circumstances can an officer perform a search without a warrant according to PC-832?

Study for the California Penal Code section 832 Test. Familiarize with key concepts and test your knowledge with challenging multiple-choice questions. Prepare confidently for your certification exam!

An officer can perform a search without a warrant under exigent circumstances and when consent is given. Exigent situations arise when there is an immediate threat to safety, the risk of evidence being destroyed, or the need to prevent a suspect's escape. In these instances, the urgency of the situation warrants a search without the typical requirement of a warrant, as it could compromise public safety or lead to the loss of evidence.

Additionally, consent allows a search to occur without a warrant when a person willingly agrees to allow law enforcement to conduct that search. This principle is crucial because individuals have the right to control access to their property. If they voluntarily give permission, no warrant is needed.

In contrast, personal suspicion alone does not justify a warrantless search; it must be accompanied by more concrete factors such as probable cause or exigency. Supervisor approval is also not a requisite for conducting a search without a warrant, as officers must act based on the circumstances they face at the moment. Lastly, the plain view doctrine allows an officer to seize evidence of a crime that is clearly visible without a warrant but does not automatically grant the authority to conduct a search without a warrant.

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