What is a common characteristic of "administrative searches"?

Administrative searches are primarily characterized by their focus on regulating compliance with various governmental statutes and regulations, rather than addressing criminal activities. These searches are often conducted in contexts like environmental inspections, workplace safety checks, or health code compliance inspections. The overarching goal is to ensure that businesses adhere to specific laws and regulations that promote public welfare, health, and safety.

In contrast, the requirement for a search warrant depends on the specific circumstances of the administrative search and the nature of the regulations involved, which means that a warrant is not necessary in all cases. Additionally, administrative searches are not typically conducted in private residences; rather, they most often occur in commercial or business settings where regulatory compliance needs to be assessed. Lastly, administrative searches can be performed by a variety of government agencies, not exclusively federal ones, encompassing state and local agencies as well. This emphasizes the key focus of administrative searches on compliance rather than the enforcement of criminal law.