Q: Is it legal for police to amend their search warrant after searching once then search again after the amendment in wa
Wenatchee, Chelan county Washington
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A:
In Washington, the legality of police amending a search warrant after an initial search and then conducting a second search hinges on specific circumstances. Generally, once a search warrant has been executed, it is considered spent, meaning police can't simply amend it to search again. If they find new information during the first search that would justify a further search, they typically need to obtain a new warrant rather than amend the existing one.
However, there may be exceptions based on what was initially authorized by the warrant or if there's an ongoing investigation where continual access to the premises was explicitly permitted. If the police searched once, made amendments, and then searched again, this could be challenged in court as exceeding the scope of the original warrant.
If you’re facing this situation, it’s important to understand the specific details of the warrant and the searches conducted. You may want to consult with a legal expert who can review the warrant and the actions taken by the police to determine if your rights were violated.
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