term:

Exigent Circumstances

exigent circumstances n pl

: circumstances that are of such urgency as to justify a warrantless entry, search, or seizure by police when a warrant would ordinarily be required compare knock and announce rule no-knock search warrant at warrant

Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.