Whether you’re facing charges for felony drug offenses or white-collar crimes, there’s a chance the police officers will want to enter your home. They may want to conduct interviews and talk with you, or they may want to search the home to find evidence.
There are three basic ways in which they can do this. Let’s break them down quickly below.
1. Getting your consent
The first tactic is often just to ask you for consent. An officer knocks on the door and asks if they can come inside and have a look around. If you give them consent, then they have the legal ability to do so and evidence they find can be used in court. But you’re not obligated to give them consent.
2. Executing a search warrant
Without your consent, the police will likely go to a judge and get a search warrant. This warrant will tell them when they can perform the search, what evidence to look for, and where on the property they’re allowed to search. They can then execute this warrant and come inside even without your permission.
3. Responding to an emergency
In some rare situations, an emergency can be a reason for a valid search. Perhaps the police were in hot pursuit of a suspect who entered the home, or perhaps they believe there’s evidence in the house that’s being destroyed.
Legal defense options
The way that a search was conducted can have a major impact on what evidence can be used in the case and your defense options. Be sure you know exactly what legal steps to take if you are facing charges.