Knowing what to do when the police execute a search warrant at your house can help protect your rights and interests. Furthermore, when the police search your Missouri home, you should contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to discuss your next steps.
Stay Calm and Cooperative
When the police suddenly show up at your front door with a search warrant, you can best protect your interests by controlling your emotions. Do not attempt to argue with the officers or try to interfere with their search – doing so may constitute a separate crime, even if the facts later show that the court should not have issued the search warrant. Follow the officers’ instructions about where to sit during the search and avoid sudden movements.
Request a Copy of the Warrant
When police execute a search warrant on your home, you have a right to inspect or keep a copy of the warrant. Politely ask the officers to see the warrant at the soonest opportunity. Check the warrant to make sure it has the correct address for your home, the date, and the judge’s signature. If the warrant has incorrect information, do not argue with the officers or attempt to disrupt the search. A criminal defense attorney can bring errors to the court’s attention after the search.
Don’t Consent to a Broader Search
The police may only search the parts of your home described in the warrant. For example, a warrant for your home may state that the officers can search the interior of your home. However, if your property has an accessory structure like a shed in the backyard, the officers may ask for your consent to search the shed.
When police ask for your consent to search parts of your property not authorized by the search warrant, you have the right to refuse consent. However, if the officers search parts of your property not listed on the search warrant, do not attempt to block or interfere with the officers; make a note of where the officers searched so your attorney can address the issue with the court.
Do Not Speak or Answer Questions Without a Lawyer and Do Not Provide Passwords, Passcodes, or Combinations
During the search, officers may ask you questions about the subject of their investigation or items they find in your home. However, you have the right to remain silent and do not have to answer the officers’ questions. If the officers want to question you, you can tell them you want to speak to a lawyer before you answer questions. Do not provide passwords, passcodes, or combinations without consulting an attorney.
Document What You Can
Although the police may not allow you to walk around the house during the search, you can ask if you may have a pen and paper to take notes about the search, including the names and badge numbers of the officers, the parts of your home they searched, and any items they seized. These notes may help you seek relief if the search violates your rights.
Contact a Criminal Defense Attorney Today
After the police search your home in Missouri pursuant to a search warrant, you need experienced legal counsel to help you protect your rights and interests if prosecutors later charge you with a crime. Contact Frank & Juengel Law Group P.C. today for a confidential consultation with our legal team to discuss your options.