Editing Exigent circumstance (section)

{{Short description|US law covering police entry to property}}
In [[criminal procedure]] [[law]] of the [[United States]], an '''exigent circumstance''' allows law enforcement (under certain circumstances) to enter a structure without a [[search warrant]], or if they have a "[[knock and announce]]" warrant, allows them to enter without knocking and waiting for the owner's permission to enter. It must be a situation where people are in imminent danger, [[evidence (law)|evidence]] faces imminent destruction, or a [[suspect]]'s escape is imminent. Once entry is obtained, the [[plain view doctrine]] applies, allowing the seizure of any evidence or contraband discovered in the course of actions consequent upon the exigent circumstances.