Today, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel led a coalition of 35 attorneys general and chief state attorneys in filing an amicus brief in Case v. Montana (PDF). The coalition is urging the Supreme Court to affirm that police officers may enter a home without a warrant when they have an objectively reasonable belief that someone inside requires emergency aid, relying on a reasonable suspicion that someone is need of help.

“Police officers often have to make split-second decisions when lives are at stake,” Nessel said. “Requiring a warrant before they can act in an emergency would delay lifesaving measures and put people in need at greater risk. The Constitution rightfully protects against unreasonable searches, but it also recognizes that emergencies demand flexibility. I urge the Supreme Court to uphold that balance and ensure law enforcement can protect our communities.”