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For many agencies, inspection of a physical site (office, warehouse) is critical to investigation and enforcement of agency regulations.

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Agency inspections are searches subject to the limitations of by the Fourth Amendment guaranty against unreasonable searches and seizures.

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An agency inspection/search will be reasonable (comply with the 4^th Amendment) if:

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The party agrees to the inspection/
The inspection is conducted based on a validly issued search warrant.
Warrantless searches are permissible in emergency situations.
Certain businesses are subject to warrantless searches due to the nature of the industry (firearms).
Hazardous industries are often subject to statutory warrantless searches because of the nature of the business (coal mines, nuclear power plants).

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Evidence which violates the 4^th Amendment will be inadmissible in court.

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Powers of Administrative Agencies