Which of the following is NOT a common law felony requirement for Hot and Fresh pursuit?

The concept of "Hot and Fresh pursuit" refers to a scenario in which law enforcement officers can follow a suspect who is fleeing from the scene of a crime. This principle allows officers to make an arrest without a warrant under specific circumstances, recognizing the urgency and necessity of preventing imminent danger or the escape of a suspect.

Obtaining a warrant before entering is not a requirement for hot pursuit because the exception to the warrant requirement is precisely what hot pursuit allows. In situations where an officer has probable cause to believe a felony has been committed, they can act immediately and continuously pursue the suspect, entering private premises if necessary, without first obtaining a warrant. This reflects the law’s acknowledgment that waiting for a warrant could allow the suspect to escape or pose a danger to public safety.

The other options represent essential elements of hot pursuit: there must be probable cause that a felony was committed, the pursuit must be immediate and continuous, and the crime must indeed be a serious one, typically classified as a felony. Thus, the necessity of not obtaining a warrant is fundamental to the hot pursuit doctrine, allowing law enforcement to act quickly in the interest of public safety and justice.