Warrantless searches and seizures are ______.

• A. Reasonable
• B. Unreasonable
• C. Permitted
• D. Allowed

Answer: (B)

Under the Fourth Amendment, searches and seizures without a warrant are generally considered unreasonable. A warrant, based on probable cause and issued by a judge, protects privacy and limits police intrusion. If there’s no warrant and no recognized exception (such as consent, exigent circumstances, search incident to arrest, plain view, or a motor vehicle exception), the action is deemed unreasonable. That’s why the best completion is “unreasonable.” The other terms imply permission to act without a warrant, but without an applicable exception, warrantless searches are not allowed.