State v. Johnson

BRANCH, Chief Justice.

The sole issue presented for review is whether the seizure of heroin under the circumstances of this case violated defendant’s fourth amendment rights. Defendant contends that the officer’s warrantless entry into his home, without consent and without any accompanying exigent circumstances, was barred by the mandates of the fourth amendment as set forth in Steagald v. United States, 451 U.S. 204 (1981) and Payton v. New York, 445 U.S. 573 (1980). The State, on the other hand, maintains that the officer entered defendant’s home while engaged in “hot pursuit” of a fugitive…