Your home is a safe space and you have a right to privacy. In general, this is a right that the authorities can’t unjustly interfere with. Nonetheless, there are some situations where the police may be able to search your home residence.
Why might the police want to search your home and do you have to let them in?
They can search with your consent
The easiest way for the police to search your home is to get your consent. This is why, if they turn up, they may be calm and try not to alert suspicion. The police may say something like “Do you mind if we take a look around, it’s nothing to worry about?”. However, it’s important to be very careful in these circumstances. You may actually be a suspect and the police may be looking to make an arrest. You do not have to provide your consent.
They can search in an emergency
The police may be able to search your home without consent in an emergency. For example, if they believe that someone’s physical well-being inside the property is in danger. A scenario like this would be classed as exigent circumstances, which allow officers to enter.
They can search with a warrant
If you do not consent to a search, then there is a chance that the police will obtain a search warrant. To do this, they will need to have probable cause of criminality. The warrant should be signed and approved by the appropriate magistrate. It should also be specific to the property and time-limited.
If you have been arrested and charged based on a search of your home, you can challenge the validity of that search. Seeking legal guidance will help you to form a coherent defense strategy.