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        No. 24-624 · October Term 2025

        Case v. Montana

        Decided January 14, 2026, 9–0 · From the Supreme Court of Montana

        Question

        May law enforcement enter a home without a search warrant based on less than probable cause that an emergency is occurring?

        Facts of the case

        In September 2021, Trevor Case’s ex-girlfriend J.H. called police to report that Case had threatened suicide during their phone conversation. J.H. believed Case was intoxicated due to his erratic behavior, and she became alarmed when he mentioned getting “a note or something like that” before committing suicide. During the call, J.H. heard clicking sounds resembling a cocking pistol, prompting her to tell Case she would call police. Case responded by threatening to harm any officers who came to his home. The call ended when J.H. heard a “pop” that she believed was a gunshot, followed by dead air, though the line remained connected. Unable to get Case to respond, J.H. contacted police and drove to his residence. Law enforcement officers arrived at Case’s home and attempted to make contact by knocking on doors and calling through an open window, but received no response. Through the windows, officers observed empty beer cans, an empty handgun holster, and a notepad they believed contained a suicide note. The officers knew of Case’s history of alcohol abuse, mental health issues, and previous suicide threats, including an incident where he brought a weapon to the school where he…

        From Oyez.

        The Court's vote 9–0

        Majority: Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor, Neil M. Gorsuch, John G. Roberts, Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito, Brett M. Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett, Ketanji Brown Jackson