When can the police search your house without a warrant?

Gone for good...

UK or USA?

Ian UK

wandera1970 has covered it very comprehensively.

For a more simplified version, a search can be carried out (without a warrant) after a person has been arrested, for evidence relating to that offence. This is covered by various acts and sections, as detailed by wandera1970 and dependent on where a person was prior to arrest or where the premises are and the persons links to the premises.

Searches can also be made by an officer when on a premises for evidence of other criminal offences (section 19 of PACE).

One that I think wandera1970 hasn't covered is searching under section 17 of PACE which covers searches for people who have committed arrestable offence.

Also (on another note) to dispel a common misconception in the UK, a Police officer does NOT need a warrant to enter your address to arrest you if they have reasonable ground to believe you are there. This is covered by section 17 as listed above.

confucious says

when you have been arrested and they want to search your house under section 18 of P.A.C.E. without delay

gaz3lh

why what have you got to hide

Bob

Yes.

In general, a warrant is required but there are many exceptions. You have not provided enough detail to say for sure in your case.

volleyballchick

Probable cause.

They have to either see the commition of a crime in progress or have some reasonable proof that a crime was committed, and it has to be in plain sight. With "probable cause", they can claim that they saw something that would indicate there was proof within the home that a crime was committed by an individual residing in the home.

Tom

They may also search with permission of the owner. If you are a tenant, the owner of your home may allow it.

The Mechanic

Its called probable cause. So if they have probable cause to believe that a crime has or is being commited they can search your house.

firebobby

The police can enter your property without warrant if , after arresting you , they believe there is reasonable evidence will be found in relation to the crime for which you have been arrested. Apart from preventing a crime and all the others mentioned
Link to http://www.adviceguide.org.uk

antagonist

when the weapon's in your hands and you're covered in blood when you go to open the door smoking dope with your nose white, with your stolen car keys in your other hand...

Cymru am Byth

only when they think a crime is taking place and they dont got time to get one

Hedge Witch

Thay can do it if they are assisting one of the lots that are entitled to just enter your house - such as Customs & Excise

CAMPBELL

when there is a plain view of an illegal action or substance, such as seeing a marijuana plant in the window

Yoshi

They can't.
But they can enter without a warrent if they sense someone is in danger, for example, if they hear screaming or gun shots.

nigel

after they have shot you for pointing a gun out the window.
or you was on the tube

Alfred E Newman

Anytime they want to....
If they were in the wrong they will just lie about it .
Or bring some "evidence" with them...

And that holds true anywhere on the planet.....

Ankleboots

they cannot, only in emergancy, when someone has been found dead,

atominfiltrators

They can't unless its an emergency.

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