Does the police need a search warrant?

Searching rooms (as well as people, clothes and objects located there) can be performed in order to find or arrest a person suspected to have committed a crime, and to find objects that may constitute evidence in a penal case (e.g. stolen things, crime instruments etc.) There must be a reasonable suspicion that the suspect or these objects are located in the room that is to be searched.

Search is subject to a court order or a prosecutor's order (the so-called search warrant) which shall be presented to the person residing in the place to be searched.

Search can be also performed without a warrant, but only in cases of utmost urgency. A police officer should then present his or her ID or an order of the supervisor of a police unit. However, such search has to be later approved by a prosecutor or a court. If it is not, then the retained objects should be promptly returned.