Are misdemeanors eligible for hot pursuit?

• A. No, never
• B. Only traffic violations
• C. Yes, if it is a jail-able offense
• D. Only if there is a warrant

Answer: (C)

Hot pursuit is an exception to the warrant requirement that lets officers chase a fleeing suspect when delaying pursuit would put the public, the officer, or the suspect at greater risk, and there’s probable cause the suspect committed a crime. The key test is whether the offense is punishable by jail time. Misdemeanors that are jail-able fall under this rule, so pursuing without a warrant can be justified in those cases. If a misdemeanor isn’t punishable by imprisonment (only fines or non-jailable), hot pursuit generally isn’t allowed. It’s not limited to traffic violations, and hot pursuit does not require a warrant because it’s an exception to the normal rule.