{"data":{"id":"us-ut/utah-code-77-7-8.1","jurisdiction":"us-ut","citation":"Utah Code § 77-7-8.1","heading":"Forcible entry to conduct a search -- Conditions requiring a warrant -- No-knock warrants.","body":"(1) As used in this section:\n(a) \"Daytime hours\" means the same as that term is defined in Section 77-7-5.\n(b) \"Forcibly enter\" means the same as that term is defined in Section 77-7-8.\n(c) \"Nighttime hours\" means the same as that term is defined in Section 77-7-5.\n(d) \"No-knock warrant\" means a lawful search warrant that authorizes entry onto a premises without notice to any occupant on the premises at the time of service.\n(e) \"Supervisory official\" means the same as that term is defined in Section 77-7-8.\n(f) \"Peace officer\" means the same as that term is defined in Section 53-1-102.\n(g) \"Premises\" means any property, building, room, conveyance, compartment, or other enclosure.\n(2) Subject to the provisions of this section, a peace officer serving a lawful no-knock warrant may forcibly enter a premises to be searched without notice.\n(3) Before seeking a no-knock warrant from a judge or magistrate under Subsection (2), a supervisory official shall, using the peace officer's affidavit:\n(a) independently perform an assessment to evaluate the totality of the circumstances;\n(b) ensure reasonable intelligence gathering efforts have been made;\n(c) ensure a threat assessment was completed on the individual or premises to be searched; and\n(d) determine either that there is a sufficient basis to support seeking a warrant or require that the peace officer continue evidence gathering efforts.\n(4)\n(a) The affidavit for a no-knock warrant shall describe:\n(i) why the peace officer believes the suspect is unable to be detained or the residence searched using less invasive or less confrontational methods;\n(ii) investigative activities that have been undertaken to ensure that the correct premises is identified and that potential harm to innocent third parties, the premises, and officers may be minimized; or\n(iii) the present or imminent threat of serious bodily injury or death to an individual inside, outside, or in near proximity to the premises.\n(b) A peace officer shall serve a no-knock warrant during daytime hours unless a peace officer's affidavit states sufficient grounds to believe a search is necessary during nighttime hours.\n(5) An officer shall wear readily identifiable markings when serving a no-knock warrant, including a badge and vest or clothing with a distinguishing label or other writing that shows that the individual is a peace officer.\n(6) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a peace officer may not request a no-knock warrant if the warrant is solely for a misdemeanor investigation.","path":["Title 77 Criminal Procedure","Chapter 77-7 Arrest, by Whom, and How Made"],"source_url":"https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title77/Chapter7/77-7-S8.1.html","current_through":"2026 General Session","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-03T11:34:34Z","sha256":"5c20a331d140c41bab355f0b40e4020d485f839de548a756806ee3b563300672","source_id":"us-ut","stale":false,"prev":"us-ut/utah-code-77-7-8","next":"us-ut/utah-code-77-7-8.5"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}