William Trevor Case, Petitioner v. Montana

The Supreme Court said police may enter a home without a search warrant when they have an objectively reasonable basis to believe someone inside needs emergency aid. In a 9-0 decision by Justice Kagan, the Court affirmed the Montana Supreme Court.

The Court ruled 9-0 to affirm the Montana Supreme Court, and Justice Kagan wrote the opinion.

Majority

Kagan

Sotomayor

Roberts

Thomas

Alito

Gorsuch

Kavanaugh

Barrett

Jackson

“Officers may enter to render emergency aid when they have an “objectively reasonable basis for believing” someone inside needs help.”

The ruling gives police and judges a clearer rule for emergency entries into homes. For example, officers who reasonably think someone inside is badly hurt can act without waiting for a warrant.

The Montana judgment stays in place, and lower courts must apply the Supreme Court's rule in similar cases. Police agencies and lawyers will likely update training, policies, and arguments to match the decision.

The case asked whether police may enter a home without a warrant on less than probable cause when they reasonably believe an emergency is happening.

Officers can respond faster when they reasonably believe someone inside needs emergency aid. Homeowners can still challenge entries that lacked an objectively reasonable basis.

There is no further Supreme Court step in this case unless a new filing appears. Lower courts and police agencies now must follow this rule in future emergency-entry disputes.