State v. Turnbull

VAUGHN, Judge.

Defendant challenges the court’s ruling denying his motion to suppress the evidence obtained as a result of the search of the premises. Defendant contends that the entry made by the officers was illegal as a violation of G.S. 15-44. Defendant correctly observes that the question of whether there was an actual breaking of the door is not determinative of the issue. The right sought to be protected is the right against unreasonable searches and seizures. U.S. Const. amend. IV; N.C. Const. art. 1, § 20.

Ordinarily, an officer of the law may not enter a citizen’s dwelling except…