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Bill Summary · SB 696

SB 696 — Limit No‑Knock Warrant / Quick‑Knock Entry (North Carolina, 2025)

Status: Passed 1st Reading (Mar 26, 2025)
Introduced: Feb 21, 2025
Primary Sponsors: Senators Smith and Theodros
Subject areas: Courts; criminal procedure; law enforcement; warrants; public safety

Purpose / Intent

SB 696 narrows the circumstances under which law enforcement may execute a search warrant without prior announcement (commonly called a “no‑knock” warrant) and clarifies procedural duties when officers serve search warrants. The bill’s intent is to ensure a judicial finding of probable cause supports forcible, unannounced entry and to require officers to provide warning and allow a reasonable opportunity before using force to enter, except where adequate danger to life or safety exists.

Key provisions

  • Adds/rewrites provisions in Article 11 (Search Warrants), Chapter 15A of the General Statutes (notably G.S. 15A‑244, 15A‑245, 15A‑249, 15A‑251).
  • Application contents (G.S. 15A‑244):
    • Requires search warrant applications to be written and supported by affidavits describing facts supporting probable cause.
    • For an application that would permit breaking and entering (no‑knock), the application must include a statement and detailed allegations of fact establishing probable cause that giving notice would endanger life or safety.
  • Issuance standard (G.S. 15A‑245):
    • The issuing official must find the application meets statutory requirements and that probable cause exists to discover the items named before issuing the warrant (existing duty restated in context).
  • Officer notice and waiting (G.S. 15A‑249):
    • Officers executing a warrant must, before entry, give appropriate notice of identity and purpose in a manner likely heard by anyone present.
    • After announcing, officers must allow “enough time” for (a) an occupant to respond or (b) the officer to determine that forced entry is necessary.
  • Entry by force (G.S. 15A‑251):
    • Forceful entry is authorized only if:
    • The officer has announced identity/purpose and reasonably believes admittance is being denied or unreasonably delayed, or the premises appear unoccupied; or
    • The officer has probable cause to believe giving notice would endanger life or safety — and the warrant must include the statement/particularized facts required under G.S. 15A‑244(b).
  • Scope and seizure provisions (G.S. 15A‑253, 15A‑254) retained; officers must inventory and give receipts for seized items as required.

Who is affected

  • Law enforcement agencies and officers who apply for and execute search warrants (policy, training, and operational practices may change).
  • Judicial officers who review and issue warrants (must make express findings when authorizing no‑knock entries).
  • Residents/occupants of premises subject to warrants (additional protections/notice requirements).
  • Prosecutors and defense attorneys (evidence and suppression litigation may be affected where notice or statutory requirements are disputed).

Procedural / timeline aspects

  • Effective date: October 1, 2025.
  • Applicability: The act applies to search warrants issued on or after October 1, 2025.
  • Legislative progress (selected): Introduced Feb 21, 2025; passed first reading in the Senate Mar 26, 2025; assigned to Rules and Operations of the Senate.

Practical impact

SB 696 formalizes and elevates procedural safeguards around no‑knock and “quick‑knock” entries by requiring specific judicial findings and particularized factual allegations to be included in warrant applications. It also clarifies that officers must announce and wait a reasonable period before forcible entry except when a documented danger to life or safety exists. The bill is likely to change warrant drafting and review practices and require updated training for officers and issuing officials.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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