When does a search occur according to legal standards?

A search occurs when an individual's reasonable expectation of privacy is infringed upon. This is a fundamental principle in Fourth Amendment jurisprudence, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. The legal standard for determining whether a search has occurred typically revolves around whether the individual had a subjective expectation of privacy in the area or item being searched and whether that expectation is one that society recognizes as reasonable.

In scenarios where law enforcement conducts a search, they must consider whether the person involved had a legitimate expectation that the object or area would be free from governmental intrusion. For example, entering a person's home without a warrant or probable cause is likely a violation of that person’s reasonable expectation of privacy.

The other choices do not adequately define when a search occurs. Selling private property does not, in itself, imply a search has occurred, as it pertains more to ownership than privacy rights. Entering a public space generally does not involve a reasonable expectation of privacy because such spaces are intended for public access. Consent can lead to a search, but it does not define the occurrence of a search itself; rather, it can serve as a legal justification for conducting a search.