Which of the following is NOT a permissible search without a warrant?

• A. Entering a home without a warrant
• B. Open fields
• C. Abandoned property
• D. Dog sniffs in public places

Answer: (C)

Entering a home without a warrant is not permissible in most situations because a dwelling carries strong Fourth Amendment privacy protections. Police generally need a warrant supported by probable cause to intrude into a home, and only specific exceptions—like consent or exigent circumstances—allow a warrantless entry.

Open fields are not protected by the Fourth Amendment, so searches there don’t require a warrant. Abandoned property relinquishes the owner's expectation of privacy, so it can be searched without a warrant. Dog sniffs in public places aren’t considered searches under the Fourth Amendment in many contexts, so they’re allowed without a warrant.

Thus, the scenario that generally cannot be done without a warrant is entering a home.