Opinion ID: 2996344
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Failure to wait

Text: As for the Molinas’ alternative argument that the police failed to wait a reasonable amount of time after announcing their presence to forcibly enter the house, we are similarly unconvinced. Police officers’ compliance with the “knock and announce” requirement is determined on a case-by-case basis. See Richards, 520 U.S. at 392; United States v. McGee, 280 F.3d 803, 806 (7th Cir. 2002). In United States v. Jones, we found that a five to thirteen second wait after “knocking and announcing” did not violate the Fourth Amendment where “the officers had information that the defendant was a dangerous felon in possession of a gun,” and an additional wait would have given the defendant time to destroy drugs. See 208 F.3d 603, 610 (7th Cir. 2000). The facts in the instant case are similar. The officers had information that Raul, a suspected drug distributor, owned weapons and had a violent criminal history. Although the duration is disputed, the officers claim that five seconds passed after their third and final knock, and that a total of twelve to fifteen seconds passed between their first knock and forcible entry.5 Under the circumstances, we find that this was a reasonable interval. Even if it was not, the officers would be entitled to qualified immunity. The plaintiffs have not cited any cases which clearly establish that an interval of this length was unconstitutional at the time that they conducted the search. See Saucier, 533 U.S. at 20102. Therefore, we affirm the district court’s grant of summary judgment for the officers on the “knock and announce” claim. 5 Even if this time frame is inaccurate as the plaintiffs contend, the Molinas have not bolstered this argument with any evidence. Just as Jackie’s testimony fails to establish a dispute as to whether the officers “knocked and announced” at all, it fails to establish a genuine dispute regarding the time frame of the “knock and announce.” No. 02-1995 15