Walk It Through: The Knock
Notice and the warrant shown, an itemized receipt, and release on recognizance.
Officers knock at an apartment early one morning and say they have a search warrant.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
One apartment and one arrest. Entry without notice, qualifying offenses, and the sworn inventory are not worked through here.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- Search warrantA court's warrant to search, executed not more than ten days after it was issued, and only between 6:00 A.M. and 9:00 P.M. unless it expressly authorizes any time.
- Order of protectionA Family Court order setting reasonable conditions of behavior for no more than two years, or up to five years on aggravating circumstances.
- Own recognizanceRelease on the person's own promise to return, which the court orders pending trial unless the charge is a qualifying offense or it finds this will not reasonably assure the person's return.
- Qualifying offenseA charge for which the court may fix bail, from a list that includes most violent felonies, class A felonies, felony sex offenses and witness intimidation.
- ViolationAn offense allowing no more than fifteen days in jail and a fine of up to $250. Disorderly conduct, harassment in the second degree and trespass are violations.