What does 'hot pursuit' allow law enforcement to do without a warrant?

The concept of "hot pursuit" is a legal doctrine that allows law enforcement officers to follow a suspect who is fleeing from them and enter private property without a warrant to make an arrest or secure evidence. This principle is primarily focused on the urgency of preventing a suspect from evading capture and protecting the integrity of potential evidence.

When officers are in hot pursuit, they have the authority to enter premises where they believe the suspect has fled. This is based on the necessity to act swiftly to prevent the suspect from escaping or destroying evidence. Therefore, the correct answer aligns with the understanding that "hot pursuit" facilitates entry onto private property to secure evidence and apprehend suspects.

In contrast, other actions such as arresting individuals outside their vehicle or searching a vehicle for drugs may involve different legal standards and circumstances where a warrant or probable cause could be necessary, and entering premises for these reasons does not specifically fall under the hot pursuit doctrine.