18 U.S.C. § 3109
Breaking doors or windows for entry or exit
- Source
- United States Code, 2024 edition
- Full text
- Read this section at govinfo
This is the legal authority behind: Police encounters.
Full text
United States Code, 2024 Edition
Title 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART II - CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
CHAPTER 205 - SEARCHES AND SEIZURES
Sec. 3109 - Breaking doors or windows for entry or exit
From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov
§3109. Breaking doors or windows for entry or exit
The officer may break open any outer or inner door or window of a house, or any part of a house, or anything therein, to execute a search warrant, if, after notice of his authority and purpose, he is refused admittance or when necessary to liberate himself or a person aiding him in the execution of the warrant.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 820.)
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §§618, 619 (June 15, 1917, ch. 30, title XI, §§8, 9, 40 Stat. 229).
Said sections 618 and 619 were consolidated with minor changes in phraseology but without change of substance.
Reproduced verbatim from the United States Code, 2024 edition. Read this section at govinfo.