Under what circumstances can a Coast Guard boarding officer conduct a warrantless search?

A Coast Guard boarding officer can conduct a warrantless search under specific legal principles. The correct answer involves circumstances where there is probable cause or exigent circumstances.

Probable cause refers to having reasonable grounds to believe that a law enforcement violation has occurred or is occurring, which grants the officer the authority to perform a search without a warrant. Exigent circumstances allow for immediate action when waiting for a warrant would either compromise the investigation or pose a danger to public safety. This is particularly applicable in maritime contexts where vessels could evade search if officers had to obtain a warrant first.

In contrast, simply feeling it is necessary does not meet the legal standards required for conducting a search without a warrant. Consent from the individual can indeed allow a search to proceed without a warrant, but it is not a requirement for the officer's authority to search under probable cause or exigent circumstances. Lastly, routine inspections typically require specific regulatory justifications and may not apply in the same way as the situations defined by probable cause or exigent circumstances, limiting the scope and manner of the searches.