20 second count

[cosmicdot]

suppose one lives in a 10,000 square foot suburban mansion with a pool, tennis court, 4-car garage, behind a security gate?

Or is this strictly aimed at low-income one-bedroom to none renters?


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Court Gives Police Victory in Waiting Time


December 2, 2003 11:55 AM EST


WASHINGTON - In a victory for law officers, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously Tuesday that it was constitutional for police to wait 20 seconds before knocking down the door of a drug suspect.

LaShawn Banks was taking a shower when masked and heavily armed officers broke into his Las Vegas apartment in 1998 looking for drugs.

His case gave the court the opportunity to clarify how long police must wait before breaking into a home to serve a warrant. The court ruled 9-0 that a 20 second delay was ample, because any longer would give drug suspects time to flush evidence down the toilet.

The justices refused, however, to spell out exactly how long is reasonable in executing warrants for drugs or other contraband.

Officers knocked and announced themselves at Banks' apartment, then waited 15 seconds to 20 seconds before using a battering ram to break down the door.

Justice David H. Souter, writing for the court, said that because police believed there were drugs inside, officers had more reason to rush.



~snip~

The case is United States v. Banks, 02-473.

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On the Net:

Supreme Court: http://www.supremecourtus.gov

http://start.earthlink.net/newsarticle?cat=6&aid=1202092652_5302_lead_story

[DoNotRefill]

1. the unfortunate reality is....

that the "knock and announce" policy is grossly misused. In many places, SOP is for the cops to come up to the door, whisper "police" and tap on the door in a manner that a person on the other side couldn't hear if the door is closed, and then do a "dynamic entry".