If the police have probable cause to search your premises or belongings, they can get a warrant from a judge or district court magistrate.
With this warrant, they can search for stolen property or other evidence of a crime. If the police come to your property with a search warrant, pay close attention to their actions, as some officers usually make mistakes. Here are two things to know about search warrants in Michigan:
Knock and announce
A law enforcement officer should knock and announce upon arriving at your premises – they should announce their presence and authority before entering your dwelling. They will then wait a reasonable amount of time to allow you to answer.
If you refuse to answer the door, the police may forcefully enter your property. They can also do this when it’s necessary to liberate another person.
Note that the knock-and-announce requirement can be disregarded in certain circumstances. For example, when the police believe doing so creates the likelihood of destroying evidence. The search warrant an officer uses in such a circumstance will expressly authorize the no-knock entry.
Location and items to be searched
A search warrant usually specifies the location and items to be searched. It may be unlawful for an officer to search an item or location not included in the warrant they serve you.
If you experienced an illegal search or are facing a charge based on evidence gathered on your property during a search, legal guidance can help you understand the severity of your case and protect you from potential consequences.