Fresh Pursuit Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Fresh Pursuit, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Fresh Pursuit?

(n) Fresh Pursuit is the tracking down of a suspect, by a law enforcement officer, by chasing him anywhere or doing anything beyond the legitimate boundaries of his authority.

History and Meaning of Fresh Pursuit

Fresh pursuit is a legal concept that refers to the right of law enforcement officials to pursue a suspect who has fled across jurisdictional boundaries or beyond the limit of an officer's legal authority. It arises from the common law principle that a police officer has the right and obligation to apprehend a suspect who is reasonably believed to have committed a crime.

The doctrine of fresh pursuit has been around for centuries and has its roots in English common law, where it was known as "hot pursuit." In the United States, fresh pursuit is recognized as a long-standing principle of law, and it provides police with the authority to pursue and arrest suspects in a timely and efficient manner.

Examples of Fresh Pursuit

  1. An officer pursuing a suspect who has crossed the state line after committing a crime.
  2. A sheriff’s deputy pursuing someone who has fled the county limits after shoplifting.
  3. A state trooper chasing a speeding car that has crossed into another state.
  4. A Border Patrol agent pursuing someone who has fled the US-Mexico border after crossing illegally.
  5. A park ranger pursuing a suspect beyond park boundaries who is engaged in illegal activity.

Legal Terms Similar to Fresh Pursuit

  1. Hot Pursuit: The original term for fresh pursuit, which refers to the right of law enforcement officials to pursue a suspect who has fled across jurisdictional boundaries or beyond the limit of an officer's legal authority.
  2. Continuous Pursuit: The unbroken pursuit of a suspect by law enforcement officers from one jurisdiction to another.
  3. Immediate Pursuit: A type of fresh pursuit that allows police officers to continue chasing a suspect even if the suspect momentarily eludes them, provided that they continue to pursue the suspect with reasonable diligence.