View source for Warrantless Searches

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==Introduction==
Police can be authorized to intrude on a person's right to privacy either through statute or by common law power.

Generally speaking, a lawful search can only be done when under judicial authorization where it is feasible to get one.<ref>
''Hunter v Southam Inc.'', [1984] 2 SCR 145, [http://canlii.ca/t/1mgc1 1984 CanLII 33]{{perSCC|Dickson J}} ("where it is feasible to obtain prior authorization, ... such authorization is a precondition for a valid search and seizure ... ")</ref>

; Burden of Proof
An individual alleging a breach of his or her ''Charter'' rights bears the burden of proving that violation on a balance of probabilities. That being said, if the individual can demonstrate that a police search was conducted without a warrant, that search will be presumed to be unreasonable unless shown to be justified.<ref>
{{supra1|Hunter v Southam Inc.}}<br> 
''R v Golden'', [2001] 3 SCR 679,  [http://canlii.ca/t/51xm 2001 SCC 83] (CanLII){{perSCC| Iacobucci and Arbour JJ}}<br>
''R v Mann'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1hmp1 2004 SCC 52] (CanLII){{perSCC| Iacobucci J}}<br>
''R v Feeney'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1fr1w 1997 CanLII 342] (SCC), [1997] 2 SCR 13{{at|54}}<br>
</ref> The Crown then must prove the reasonableness of the search on a balance of probabilities. <ref>see ''R v Caslake'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1fqww 1998 CanLII 838] (SCC), [1998] 1 SCR 51{{perSCC|Lamer CJ}}{{At|11}}</ref>  Reasonableness of a search has both a subjective and objective component.<Ref>''R v Bernshaw'', [http://canlii.ca/t/1frmf 1995 CanLII 150] (SCC){{perSCC|Sopinka J}}</ref>

; Entey to a Residence
The Police cannot enter into a private dwelling without a warrant, consent of the homeower(s), or without exigent circumstances.<ref>{{supra1|Feeney}}{{at|44}}</ref>

{{Reflist|2}}

==Categories of Searches==
There are several types of warrantless searches:
#[[Consent Search|Search by Consent]]
#[[Search Incident to Investigative Detention]]
#[[Search Incident to Arrest]]
#[[Warrantless Search of Abandoned Property|Search of Abandoned Property]]
#[[Plain View Search and Seizure|Search in Plain View]]
#[[Warrantless Search in Exigent Circumstances|Exigent Circumstances]]
#[[Statutory Warrantless Search Powers]]

{{reflist|2}}

==See Also==
* [[Charter Applications]]