Court Opinion

ID: 9553352
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 19:28:25.291891+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:30:53.160981
License: Public Domain

Andersen, J.
(concurring) — This State does not have a “no knock” statute with respect to search warrants in narcotics cases such as the federal government has. 21 U.S.C. § 879. Our “knock and announce” statute is clear and unambiguous. It authorizes an officer to break and enter only “if, after notice of his office and purpose, he be refused admittance.” RCW 10.31.040. That statute was not fully complied with, as the trial court found, so the search and seizure were illegal. If change there should be, then the legislature must do it; this court cannot.