In the News

"Top court allows evidence obtained via illegal entry"

The Star-Ledger

June 16, 2006

In an article by James Vicini (Reuters), a Supreme Court decision which rules that evidence could be used even when the police entered a suspect's home illegally by failing to knock on the door or announce their presence is discussed. This ruling may have little impact on New Jersey as the story concludes with mention of the New Jersey Supreme Court's ruling in 2001 where the court unanimously reversed a drug conviction obtained through a violation of the knock-first rule. "Justice Peter Verniero wrote that the knock and announce rule is 'deeply rooted' in the state constitution and four centuries of common law and 'reflects the ancient adage that a man's house is his castle.'"