It’s natural to be scared if the police ever show up at your door with a search warrant. If you’re preparing for possible police presence, keep in mind that the most important thing is that you stay calm. You do have rights, and the best way to ensure that you stay out of legal trouble is by not interfering with lawful activity.
Below are some useful tips that can help you figure out what to do if the police show up to your home with a search warrant.
Be Polite
Even if you feel the search warrant is unjust, stay calm. There will be a time to handle this with a skilled defense attorney at your side. If a police officer acted unlawfully during the search, you could compromise your grounds if you act out.
Ask to See the Warrant Before They Enter Your Home
For a search warrant to be valid, it must have the approval and signature of a judge. Also, there needs to be detailed information about the area that requires searching. For instance, it should state when a law enforcement official can carry out the search warrant, and it must also indicate what the police are looking to find. When the search warrant doesn’t cover all of these factors, don’t permit them to search your home.
Also keep in mind that if a police officer goes beyond the approved areas that are in the search warrant, any evidence collected from these unauthorized areas will not be valid in court. However, you should never give consent to let a police officer search unauthorized regions in your home because this could terminate your rights to challenge any evidence that police obtained illegally.
Take a Video of the Search
Although most police officers act within the limits of a search warrant, there are some who can get overly aggressive during a search and act unreasonably. Bad police behavior may include breaking household items or leaving a mess. When these circumstances arise, it is best to have a video recording that can be used by your criminal defense attorney. The video could be used to file a civil claim for any damages that were caused by the officer’s overzealous behavior.
Get in Touch With an Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer Immediately
There will be a time and place to challenge the search, and you need the guidance and skills of an experienced criminal defense attorney during this time. Your criminal defense attorney can determine if there is a valid basis for challenging the search, which could suppress illegally found evidence during the search and serve as your legal representation throughout the process.
Eric G. Johnson of John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm has experience representing clients across Louisiana and helping them resolve legal issues on the most favorable terms. A judge may have approved a search warrant of your residence, but you still have rights. Eric is here to make sure they’re protected. Contact us today at 318-377-1555 for a free case evaluation.