Knocking not needed before police search with warrant
SUPREME COURT The Supreme Court says police don't have to knock before coming in with a search warrant. The high court has ruled that evidence collected with a warrant can be used in court even if officers don't knock before rushing into a home.
Justice Antonin Scalia writes for the majority that suppressing evidence is too high a penalty to pay for errors in police searches. And he says the suspect shouldn't be given "a get-out-of-jail-free card."
Justice Samuel Alito broke a four-four tie by siding with Detroit police, who called out their presence at a man's door and went inside a few seconds later. Previous rulings said police armed with warrants have to knock and announce themselves in most cases, or risk violating constitutional protections against unreasonable searches.
Justice Stephen Breyer wrote in the dissent that the decision "weakens, perhaps destroys" constitutional protections.