# Justice Manual § 9-13.600: Guidance on No-Knock Warrants

> Federal · Agency guidance · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-13.600

## Section

- **Citation:** Justice Manual § 9-13.600
- **Heading:** Guidance on No-Knock Warrants
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Agency guidance
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** DOJ Justice Manual / Title 9: Criminal / 9-13.000 - Obtaining Evidence / Justice Manual § 9-13.600

## Text

When executing a search warrant at a private dwelling, federal agents are generally required to “knock and announce” their identity, authority, and purpose, and demand entry.  U.S. Const., amend. IV; 18 U.S.C. § 3109;
see Hudson v. Michigan
, 547 U.S. 586 (2006). Once that announcement is made, agents must wait a reasonable amount of time based on the totality of the circumstances to permit the occupant to open the door before making entry into the dwelling.
See United States v. Banks
, 540 U.S. 31 (2003).

The Supreme Court has recognized, however, that there are certain situations where it is not constitutionally necessary to “knock and announce” before entering a dwelling—namely, where the law enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to believe that knocking and announcing would create a threat of physical violence, likely result in destruction of evidence, or be futile.
See Hudson
, 547 U.S. at 589-90. These search warrants are often referred to as “no-knock” warrants.  Because of the risk posed to both law enforcement and civilians during the execution of “no knock” warrants, the Department of Justice recognizes it is important that this authority be exercised only in the most compelling circumstances.

Approval process.
Law enforcement officers of the Department of Justice
[
Footnote 1
] may seek judicial authorization to conduct a “no-knock” entry only if the officer has reasonable grounds at the time the warrant is sought that knocking and announcing law enforcement’s presence would create an imminent threat of physical violence to the officer and/or another person.
Prior to seeking judicial authorization for the “no knock” entry, the officer must first obtain approval from:
The Criminal Chief of the relevant U.S. Attorney’s Office or a Deputy Chief in a Main Justice litigating component; and
An Assistant Special Agent in Charge or Chief Deputy Marshal in the district
e would create an imminent threat of physical violence to the officer and/or another person.
Prior to seeking judicial authorization for the “no knock” entry, the officer must first obtain approval from:
The Criminal Chief of the relevant U.S. Attorney’s Office or a Deputy Chief in a Main Justice litigating component; and
An Assistant Special Agent in Charge or Chief Deputy Marshal in the district.
Once judicial authorization is obtained for the “no knock” warrant, law enforcement may proceed without “knocking and announcing” their presence unless they learn of facts that negate the circumstances that justified this Department policy exception to the “knock and announce” rule.
Exigent and Exceptional Circumstances
If an officer did not anticipate the need for a “no knock” entry at the time the warrant was sought, the officer may conduct a “no knock” entry only if exigent circumstances arise at the scene such that knocking and announcing law enforcement’s presence would create an imminent threat of physical violence to the officer and/or another person. If an officer relies on this “exigent circumstances” exception in executing the warrant, the officer or their supervisor shall:
Immediately notify their Special Agent in Charge or United States Marshal; and
Provide written notice to the United States Attorney or relevant Assistant Attorney General.
Should an exceptional circumstance arise (e.g., in a national security matter) where no imminent threat of physical violence is present, but an officer believes the evidence is so significant, and the risk of its destruction so pronounced, that a “no knock” entry is warranted, judicial authorization for a “no knock” warrant can be sought if:
Approval is first obtained from the head of the law enforcement component and the United States Attorney or relevant Assistant Attorney General; and
Notice is provided to the Office of the Deputy Attorney General.
ves the evidence is so significant, and the risk of its destruction so pronounced, that a “no knock” entry is warranted, judicial authorization for a “no knock” warrant can be sought if:
Approval is first obtained from the head of the law enforcement component and the United States Attorney or relevant Assistant Attorney General; and
Notice is provided to the Office of the Deputy Attorney General.

[
Footnote 1
] For the purposes of this Section, “law enforcement officers of the Department of Justice” includes any task force officer when that individual is acting under the authority of a Department law enforcement agency, including during federal task force operations.

[added January 2025]

## Nearby sections

- [Justice Manual § 9-13.001 Electronic Recording of Statements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-13.001.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-13.002 Storage of Evidence in Criminal Matters and Cases](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-13.002.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-13.100 Use of Body-Worn Cameras by Task Force Officers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-13.100.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-13.150 Processing Ballistics Evidence in Connection with Criminal Investigations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-13.150.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-13.200 Communications with Represented Persons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-13.200.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-13.300 Polygraphs—Department Policy](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-13.300.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-13.400 Obtaining Information From, or Records of, Members of the News Media; and Questioning, Arresting, or Charging Members of the News Media](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-13.400.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-13.410 Guidelines for Issuing Subpoenas to Attorneys for Information Relating to the Representation of Clients](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-13.410.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-13.420 Searches of Premises of Subject Attorneys](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-13.420.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-13.500 International Legal Assistance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-13.500.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-13.510 Obtaining Evidence Abroad—General Considerations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-13.510.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-13.512 Intended Use of the Evidence](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-13.512.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-13.514 Time Required](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-13.514.md)
- [Justice Manual § 9-13.516 Cost of Obtaining Evidence](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-13.516.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/JM_S9-13.600. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.