MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

What can you do if a friend refuses to let you enter their home to arrest a suspect?

1. You can forcibly enter based on the arrest warrant

2. You need a search warrant

3. You can question the friend to gain entry

4. You can wait outside until the suspect appears

The correct answer is: You need a search warrant

The appropriate action when a friend refuses to let you enter their home to arrest a suspect is to obtain a search warrant. In many jurisdictions, entering a person's home without their consent, even with an arrest warrant for a suspect who may be inside, typically requires a search warrant if the individual is not a co-occupant or there are no exigent circumstances. A search warrant grants law enforcement the legal authority to enter and search a premises for specific evidence or suspects, safeguarding the rights of the individuals within the property. This is essential to maintain the legal standards and uphold the constitutional rights of individuals against unlawful searches and seizures. Gaining consent or questioning a friend for permission, while sometimes a viable approach in law enforcement, is not guaranteed and does not provide the same legal standing as a search warrant. Waiting outside for the suspect to appear may not be a practical solution, especially if the situation is time-sensitive, nor is it necessarily the most effective means of apprehending a suspect who is known to be inside the residence. Therefore, obtaining a search warrant is the most legally sound course of action in this scenario.