Warrantless entry OK in emergency

Trial Notebook

By Steven P. Garmisa

Hoey & Farina

Posted July 29, 2014 2:56 PM

Milwaukee police officers broke into Krysta Sutterfield’s house without a warrant after a psychiatrist called 911 and said Sutterfield was suicidal. Alleging that the police violated the 4th Amendment’s warrant requirement, Sutterfield sued the city of Milwaukee. On appeal from an order that granted the city’s request for summary judgment, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals considered three exceptions to the warrant requirement: the community caretaking, emergency aid and exigent circumstances …

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