As most people are no doubt aware, the Police normally require a Warrant to undertake a search of a private premise or to conduct a personal search on a person. Â However, there are some circumstances when the Police do not require a warrant to search a premise or person.
A Police Officer may enter a residence without a Warrant for the purposes of arrest or if they reasonably believe that it is necessary to end or prevent a breach of peace.
Search Rights on private premises
If a person has been arrested on the premises, the police then have the right to conduct a person search of the person arrested. Â However, the police may not be able to conduct a broader search of the wider premises.
Search Rights on the basis of Domestic Violence
If a Police Officer believes on reasonable grounds that a domestice violence offence is being or may have been committed, or is imminent, or is likely to be committed in a dwelling, the police officer may enter the dwelling only if invited by any person who lives in the dwelling to investigate whether a domestic violence offence has been committed, or to prevent the commission of a domestic violence offence.
Personal Searches
When searching a person, the police may stop, search and detain any individual reasonably suspected of having in their possession:
- Anything that is stolen;
- Anything obtained unlawfully;
- Anything intended for use in committing a serious offence;
Personal searches for dangerous weapons
The Police, on reasonable grounds, may search any person suspected of having a dangerous implement that can include knives, firearms or any implement that is made or adapted to cause injury to another person.
Search after arrest
After a person has been arrested, the police may conduct a search immediatly on the person and any property considered to be dangerous, or related to an offence may be seized.
Search after being charged
Where a person has been charged with an offence and are in lawful custody, then anything found on the person may be seized.
With over 30 years experience in law, firstly as a Police Officer and since 2000, as a solicitor specialising in criminal law, Murray Edwards is able to assist his clients to find their way through this complex area of law, call Murray Edwards now on 43247699 for a confidential chat on the phone.
