Supreme Court to Clarify Standard for Emergency Home Searches

The US Supreme Court agreed to decide when law enforcement can enter a home without a warrant because of a potential emergency.

On Monday, the justices agreed to resolve a split among federal and state courts over how sure police must be that an emergency exists in order to conduct a warrantless search.

Some courts say officers must have probable cause, which is a reasonable basis for believing a person is in immediate need of assistance. Others apply a lower level standard, like reasonable belief or suspicion.

A divided Montana Supreme Court said officers lawfully entered the home of William ...