When the police show up at your door, you aren’t required to let them in unless they have a legal judge-approved warrant for searching your property. But it’s important to note that the policemen are needed to act in a certain way even if they have a search warrant.
What Is a Search Warrant?
A search warrant is a legal document that allows the right to search property at a specific time to the police. This document has to be signed and approved by the judge, looking over the case. For instance, a search warrant may permit the police officers to search a home for packaging materials, illegal substances, unlicensed weapons, dead bodies, drug paraphernalia, a stolen item, evidence from the crime scene, or other objects. The police can’t search anything other than what they’re authorized for. For instance, if they have the search warrant for your car or garage, they can’t search your residence.
Police officers are further allowed to confiscate any evidence that proves the crime during a warrant execution, even if the item isn’t listed on the document. Officers are also authorized to take reasonable actions in their self-defense while executing a warrant. For instance, they can ask the residents to stay in a specific room during the search or even use the handcuffs.
The Knock-Notice Rule
The knock-and-talk rule implies that the police officers must knock the door and announce the search warrant before entering someone’s property. Generally, officers are required to knock, announce, and give you the time to open the door before bashing in.
However, the knock-and talk rule doesn’t apply in the following cases:
- If the police officers are tracing a suspect
- If they believe that someone’s life is endangered inside the property, such as in cases of kidnapping
- If the officers have the reason to believe that making an announcement will:
- Compromise their safety
- Compromise the safety of the captive or hostage
- Comprise their evidence
- Alarm the suspect and allow him the time to run
What to Do If You’re Arrested?
If you are arrested during a warrant execution for a crime you didn’t do, seek help from bail bondsmen in Marshall County, Pulaski County, Jasper County, Allen County, Lake County, and Steuben County, in Indiana. At DeLaughter Bail Bonds, we provide 24-hours bail bond services to make sure we’re there for you when you need us.
Contact us for more information.
