LEO's only: No knock warrants

[fullrearview]

This has been tossed around on CGN more than Lindsay Lohan in Hollywood.

The wrong house does happen sometimes... Just not as much as it is made out to be. Not to mention, a no knock warrant is VERY tough to get. One thing to also remember, the SWAT team, if utilized, or the standard LEO/narc cop was called in to serve the warrant was not there while building the case or writing the warrant. They are not going to have the time to verify the address.

[missiondude]

But just because They're after you doesn't mean you're Paronoid..

Yes, mistakes happen. But your chances of winning the SUPER LOTTO and getting hit by lightning are much higher. When I lived in the San Fernando Valley (way back) our neighbor would take cover when an LAPD Helicopter
would be seen or heard circling a 5 mile radius. He was certain they were
coming for him. Once he actually climbed a tree in his front yard to hide.
LOL.

Just lock up so tight that anyone entering will have to get a battering ram.

And no, don't start shooting. They don't like it when you shoot at them.

I dont know about the lightning, but I have been waaaay closer to having the police raid our house because it was next door to the real target, than I have ever been to winning powerball... Dad noticed several black sedans parked down the street and decided to walk down to investigate. Struck up a conversation with one of the guys standing around (this was back in the 70's) and got him to say what they were doing. They pointed to our house and said we are getting ready to "toss that house". Dad said "Hey, I live there and I bet you want the guys next door". Turns out they had the wrong address by one number, and the neighbors brother was wanted for drug smuggling. The way it went down, it was not going to be a no knock, as they were waiting for a warrant, but just goes to show info is not always correct, and errors occur.

[Ron-Solo]

I have been in law enforcement for 32+ years. A true "no knock" warrant is very rare and are usually served by swat or other high risk teams. The reason for a "no knock" is that there is solid information indicating the person the warrant is being served against is armed and will resist. Your "sign" would simply confirm this. It is not going to entice them to go away or knock and give you time to arm yourself.

You want to resist and shoot at the police during the service of a high risk warrant, expect to get shot and probably die. There's going to be 4-5 heavily armed men coming thru the door, and maybe more depending on the layout, who will not hesitate to fire upon any threat.

Oh, and that loud bang with a blinding light.....that's commonly referred to as a "flash bang" and it will disorient you enough where it will be hard for you to function while you foolishly point your gun at the police, forcing them to take action that will possibly cost you your life.

I've been involved in hundreds of warrant services over the last 32 years, and only two were "no knock" warrants. They were both served by swat teams who used a tow truck to rip the security door off the wall to make entry into the rock house.

This topic has been bashed about so much it has become annoying.

[Ron-Solo]

I dont know about the lightning, but I have been waaaay closer to having the police raid our house because it was next door to the real target, than I have ever been to winning powerball... Dad noticed several black sedans parked down the street and decided to walk down to investigate. Struck up a conversation with one of the guys standing around (this was back in the 70's) and got him to say what they were doing. They pointed to our house and said we are getting ready to "toss that house". Dad said "Hey, I live there and I bet you want the guys next door". Turns out they had the wrong address by one number, and the neighbors brother was wanted for drug smuggling. The way it went down, it was not going to be a no knock, as they were waiting for a warrant, but just goes to show info is not always correct, and errors occur.

Back in the 70's huh? That's a pretty high frequency. The guy your dad talked to was just a backup guy and had no idea what house was going to get "tossed" and was waiting for the guy runniing the show. The guy getting the warrant had all the details.

Seriously, there are many more important things for you to worry about in this lifetime. Don't drink the kool-aid. No knock warrants are very rare.

[foomxyooj]

A few years back, I had a warrant served at my house. I had recently moved into the home about 3 weeks prior. That day, 2 of my brothers and a brother in law were laying tiles. Out of no where I seen heavily armed police officers walking towards the door. I went to open the door and "get on the ground" is all I hear. So we all get on the ground. We all get handcuffed. The house gets cleared. The investigating detective walks in and apologizes for his mistake. He asked what agency I worked for and I told him (my duty belt was lying on the kitchen counter).
Now, whenever I see this detective, I remind him of that one search warrant.

[yzErnie]

"Officers, if you are here to serve a warrant, you are at the wrong address. If you use forcible entry techniques to enter, I will likely assume that I'm the victim of a home invasion robbery. You and I will likely shoot each other. Re-check your info. or just knock and wait for me to answer". Comments?

My comment would be this.....would you want your attorney (if you lived through it) trying to explain the words on your "sign" to a jury why the cops used deadly force against you?.....oh, nevermind.

[Spanky8601]

Rather than post a sign in your yard, how about making sure that you have your high visibility correct address posted in several different locations.

After you accomplish that take several Valiums and relax.

[Desert_Rat]

My comment would be this.....would you want your attorney (if you lived through it) trying to explain the words on your "sign" to a jury why the cops used deadly force against you?.....oh, nevermind.

^I lol'd ^

[sacshooter1]

I have written and served quiet a few warrants. In the legal description of the house you need to include enough info so that someone that has never been there or seen the house can verify that they are at the correct address. Police do their homework as far as verifying the information is correct and up to date regarding the residents of the house. But yes, cops are human too and make mistakes. To get a warrant you need information that the thing(s) that you are searching for have a fair probability of being at the place you are searching. No knock warrants are rare in the extreme and California law does not currently permit the no knock rule to be signed off on. Federal law is different, as are extreme circumstances where the knock and notice requirement becomes secondary to officer safety.

You have a much better chance of some 3rd cousin using your address as his residence for his probation or parole. If we are looking for your 3rd cousin and he has used your address, we will be coming to your house first to see if he is there.

The sign idea will do nothing to prevent officers from forcibly entering your house and serving the warrant. A search warrant is a Judge commanding you to enter the house and look for the items that you have listed to search for. I for one wouldn't go tell a Judge that I decided not to serve the warrant because I read a sing telling me that it was a bad idea at the time.

[Desert_Rat]

When I was a little kid. I was at a birthday party at My step brothers house. The police knocked on the door so hard it opened. Then they all poured in with guns drawn. serving a search warrant for dope. As it turns out, My step brother was the local dope man. My dad was pretty pissed too. the house was one of his rentals.

[Purple K]

Thanks for the comments guys.

[tyrist]

Back in the 70's huh? That's a pretty high frequency. The guy your dad talked to was just a backup guy and had no idea what house was going to get "tossed" and was waiting for the guy runniing the show. The guy getting the warrant had all the details.

Seriously, there are many more important things for you to worry about in this lifetime. Don't drink the kool-aid. No knock warrants are very rare.

+1

I don't know why people think these are common.

Best way to avoid having a warrant issued for your home....don't live with criminals, keep your home address clearly visible (illegible chalk numbers don't count), and don't allow your cousin sisters brothers uncle former roommate who is on parole to use your home as a "mailing" address.

Also realize that some of those homes they report as incorrect service were the right location the suspect/evidence just was no longer there; so they report them as bad warrants. Most suspects try to be as evasive as possible and constantly give incorrect information on everything.

[Triad]

I have written numerous search warrants and have never gotten a no-knock. I have been involved in more search warrants (including those served with swat and narcotics) and not one of them have been a no-knock.

In my experience they have been impossible to secure/obtain.

If a sign like that was posted on the front door I can pretty much guarantee the swat team would be serving the warrant anyway.

[Lrchops]

No Knock warrants are rarely granted and rarely desired and rarely needed!! I have written hundreds of narcotics search warrants and never needed a no knock warrant. When I serve a search warrant I knock as loud as possible, shout as loud as possible, so everyone in the neighborhood can hear me, especially the people inside the structure. I make as much noise as possible before forcing entry.

I have not heard of any pattern of no-knock warrants to the wrong address. I do know that those types of warrants are rarely granted!

[Patrick Aherne]

We could not get a no knock search warrant for a murder suspect's bloody clothes where the murder suspect, in every picture we had of him, had a gun poking out of his pocket and his last arrest had been for shooting up an apartment complex with a MAC 11 in Reno. Oh, he also said he wasn't going back to prison and would go out in a blaze of glory.

I volunteered to be first in on the shield. That knoch and announce was VERRY long.