Opinion Summary: Case v. Montana | Probable Cause Confusion

Case v. Montana | Date Decided: 1/14/26 | Case No. 24-624

Question Presented: Whether law enforcement may enter a home without a search warrant based on less than probable cause that an emergency is occurring, or whether the emergency-aid exception requires probable cause.

Background

In this case, Case challenged the established emergency-aid exception by asking the Supreme Court to require probable cause rather than the current "objectively reasonable belief" standard for warrantless home entries during emergencies.

Holding: Brigham City’s objective reasonableness standard for warrantless home entries to render emergency aid applies without further gloss and was satisfied in this case.

Result: Affirmed.

Voting Breakdown: 9-0. Justice Kagan delivered the opinion for a unanimous Court. Justices Sotomayor and Gorsuch filed concurring opinions.

Link to Opinion: Here.

Oral Advocates:

1. For Petitioner: Fred A. Rowley, Jr., Los Angeles, CA.
2. For Respondent: Christian B. Corrigan, Solicitor General, Montana
3. United States as Amicus Curiae: Zoe A. Jacoby, Assistant to the Solicitor General, Department of Justice.