In the context of the CCP, which scenario would most likely require a search warrant?

A search warrant is a legal document issued by a judge that authorizes law enforcement to conduct a search of a specified location for evidence of a crime. In the context of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CCP), the requirement for a search warrant typically applies to searches of private property, where individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Searching a private residence without exigent circumstances most definitively requires a search warrant because the sanctity of the home is a fundamental principle in protecting individual privacy rights. The law recognizes that individuals have a heightened expectation of privacy within their homes, and law enforcement must demonstrate probable cause to a judge before infringing on that privacy through a search.

In contrast, scenarios like a peace officer observing a crime in progress or a suspect fleeing a scene may fall under exceptions to the warrant requirement, such as the concept of "hot pursuit," allowing officers to act quickly without a warrant to prevent harm or secure evidence. Similarly, searching a car during a traffic stop may also be justified under the automobile exception due to the mobility of vehicles and the diminished expectation of privacy in them. However, the need for a warrant in a private residence stands out clearly because it safeguards the homeowner's right against unreasonable searches.