While the Fourth Amendment establishes a preference for warrants, the courts have upheld several exceptions where searches can be conducted without a warrant: Consent Searches: If an individual voluntarily consents to a search, law enforcement can conduct it without a warrant. The consent must be freely given and not coerced. Search Incident to Lawful Arrest: Officers may search a person and the immediate area within their control following a lawful arrest to ensure officer safety and prevent the destruction of evidence (Chimel v. California, 1969). Plain View Doctrine: Law Enforcement who are lawfully present in an area and observe evidence of a crime in plain view may seize it. Exigent Circumstances: In situations with an imminent threat to life, the possibility of a suspect escaping, or the risk of evidence being destroyed, law enforcement may conduct a warrantless search (Kentucky v. King, 2011). Automobile Exception: Due to vehicles' inherent mobility and the reduced expectation of privacy, law enforcement can search a vehicle without a warrant if they have probable cause to believe it contains evidence of a crime (Carroll v. United States, 1925). Respond as a class mate