# Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, sec. 2D: No-knock warrants; criteria; execution of search warrants at a residence; remedy for violations

> Massachusetts · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TII_C276_S2D

## Section

- **Citation:** Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, sec. 2D
- **Heading:** No-knock warrants; criteria; execution of search warrants at a residence; remedy for violations
- **Jurisdiction:** Massachusetts
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** MA Code / Part IV / Title II / Chapter 276 / Section 2D

## Text

Section 2D. (a) A warrant that does not require a law enforcement officer to knock and announce their presence and purpose before forcibly entering a residence shall not be issued except by a judge and only if the affidavit supporting the request for the warrant: (i) establishes probable cause that if the law enforcement officer announces their presence their life or the lives of others will be endangered; and (ii) includes an attestation that the law enforcement officer filing the affidavit has no reason to believe that minor children or adults over the age of 65 are in the home, unless there is a credible risk of imminent harm to the minor or adult over the age of 65 in the home. (b) A police officer executing a search warrant shall knock and announce their presence and purpose before forcibly entering a residence unless authorized by a warrant to enter pursuant to subsection (a). (c) An officer shall not dispense with the requirements of subsections (a) and (b) except to prevent a credible risk of imminent harm as defined in section 1 of chapter 6E. (d) Evidence seized or obtained during the execution of a warrant shall be inadmissible if a law enforcement officer violates this section.

Section 2D. (a) A warrant that does not require a law enforcement officer to knock and announce their presence and purpose before forcibly entering a residence shall not be issued except by a judge and only if the affidavit supporting the request for the warrant: (i) establishes probable cause that if the law enforcement officer announces their presence their life or the lives of others will be endangered; and (ii) includes an attestation that the law enforcement officer filing the affidavit has no reason to believe that minor children or adults over the age of 65 are in the home, unless there is a credible risk of imminent harm to the minor or adult over the age of 65 in the home.

(b) A police officer executing a search warrant shall knock and announce their presence and purpose before forcibly entering a residence unless authorized by a warrant to enter pursuant to subsection (a).

(c) An officer shall not dispense with the requirements of subsections (a) and (b) except to prevent a credible risk of imminent harm as defined in section 1 of chapter 6E.

(d) Evidence seized or obtained during the execution of a warrant shall be inadmissible if a law enforcement officer violates this section.

## Nearby sections

- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, sec. 1 Complaint for issuance of search warrant; warrant for designated property or articles; search incident to arrest; documentary evidence subject to privilege](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TII_C276_S1.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, sec. 1A Search warrants for articles belonging to subversive organizations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TII_C276_S1A.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, sec. 1B Search warrants for records possessed by foreign corporations providing electronic communication or remote computing services](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TII_C276_S1B.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, sec. 2 Requisites of warrant](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TII_C276_S2.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, sec. 2A Form of warrant](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TII_C276_S2A.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, sec. 2B Affidavit in support of application for search warrant; contents and form](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TII_C276_S2B.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, sec. 2C Manner of issuing search warrants; application of Secs. 2, 2A and 2B](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TII_C276_S2C.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, sec. 2D No-knock warrants; criteria; execution of search warrants at a residence; remedy for violations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TII_C276_S2D.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, sec. 3 Seizure, custody and disposition of articles; exceptions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TII_C276_S3.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, sec. 3A Time for return of search warrant](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TII_C276_S3A.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, sec. 4 Notice before forfeiture of property seized under search warrant](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TII_C276_S4.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, sec. 5 Service of notice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TII_C276_S5.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, sec. 6 Postponement of trial; further notice](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TII_C276_S6.md)
- [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 276, sec. 7 Sale or destruction of property seized; disposition of proceeds](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TII_C276_S7.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PIV_TII_C276_S2D. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.