Can police officers search your home without a warrant?

Answer 1

Not to my knowledge.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Yes,
Under certain circumstances. The courts generally protect a person's right to privacy in their homes. However under certain circumstances the police can. Here are some reasons:
1). The owner or some other person with a vested interest in privacy at the home grants consent.
2). Exigent circumstances (such as to prevent the destruction of evidence).
3). If the officer is in "hot pursuit" of a suspect who flees into a private dwelling. The officer may enter the house to arrest the suspect.
4). If the officer has a warrant for the arrest of a person and believes that the home to be entered belongs to the suspect and has reason to believe that the suspect is home.

There are probably others that I did not put here. If you have a specific scenario e-mail me the details and I'll get back to you.

Answer 4

In certain circumstances yes. Incident to arrest, with permission of the occupants, if they see something in plain view, and a few other times they are given exemptions tothe need for search warrants

Answer 5

Under certain circumstances. Many have already been listed above. They can also search if given permission. They can seize anything in plain view if they entered the house on a valid call (a domestic disturbance, etc.). They can also search "incidental to arrest" which is anything within "lunging distance" of the suspect at the time of the arrest.

Answer 6

Technically yes. I they have a reason to enter your house under exigent circumstances (hot pursuit, destruction of evidence, etc.) then they are allowed to do what is called a "protective sweep." This sweep is for the sole purpose of location other people in that residence. Anything beyond looking for a person and they have to get a warrant. I.E.: police can not look inside small boxes or film canisters during a protective sweep beacuse no human being could fit in there. The can look in closets, cabinets, fridges, wherever a human can fit.

Answer 7

Yes - in cases of exigent circumstances (hot pursuit, commission of a felony, destruction of evidence, etc...), no warrant is needed...... whether or not you attempt to deny them entry. In that case, you'll be arrested for obstructing an officer.

Calif Deputy

Answer 8

Yes. There are anumber of circumastances when they can. If they are in "hot pursuit". Just because you make it to the doorbefore they do doesn't mean you got away. Destruction of evidence. Protect someone (if they hear what they believe is someone being assaulted). There are more, but you get the picture.

Answer 9

Technically no but if they believe that an offence is being commit ed or they believe that you could possibly destroy incriminating evidence but they must have just cause and supply you with reasonable explanation for doing so pending their reason you can deny entry but then they can arrest you for obstruction and disobey a police direction basically they are a law above themselves and if you get in their way they will find some rule to contradict an other

Answer 10

If there is dangerous or illegal substances in plain sight the Warrant process can be bypassed. Furitive movements do not count.
The answer is yes, in certain conditions.

Answer 11

Yes, In "Hot Pursuit" (refers to if the cops are chasing you) and if someone calls saying you have a gun or drugs in your residence they can search in plain sight.

Also if you consent.

Here is a link to the 4th Amendment which covers searches and seizures.

Edit: Shows how many people actually know there rights as a citizen. Kinda sad.