People think of their home as a safe place where they can live their lives as they feel like. The safety and security of their home can come to a screeching halt if police officers come knocking at the door.
It’s critical for everyone, even those who assume they won’t ever have to interact with police officers, to understand a bit about home searches. This may help you to protect your rights if you’re ever in this position.
What’s required for police to enter your home?
There are limited circumstances in which police officers can enter your home. One of these is if they have permission. This can be provided by the homeowner or anyone who can legally provide that permission.
Another circumstance in which police officers can search a home is if they have a search warrant. This is a document signed by a judge or magistrate that lists the location for the search and information about what police can seize. Probable cause must be provided to obtain a search warrant.
Police officers have a few circumstances in which they can search a home without permission or a search warrant. These include if there are exigent circumstances, such as if they’re in hot pursuit of someone in connection with a felony.
What else should you know?
Police officers can seize evidence if it’s located in plain view from a place where they’re lawfully allowed to be. This means that they can seize evidence of a crime, such as drugs, if they’re on a table in the entryway of your home, if it’s visible from the front door of the home.
Evidence in a criminal trial is often at the center of the case. It’s critical to fully scrutinize how the evidence in the trial was obtained to determine if it’s admissible in court. Working with someone familiar with these matters is critical for all defendants because these matters involving violations of rights are often complex.
