Can the police get a search warrant based solely on the content of anonymous calls?
Can the police get a search warrant based solely on the content of anonymous calls?
Although it is not what usually happens, it is possible. If an anonymous call or calls contain sufficient information to reasonably verify the allegations, then a court may find them adequate to support a search warrant.
"Joe Smith is a drug dealer" -- not adequate.
"Joe Smith lives at 1123 Anyplace Drive, a light grey bungalow, and he is selling drugs out of his house. He keeps the drugs inside of the middle couch cushion of a brown leather couch in his living room. He's 5'11, has light brown hair and blue eyes. I saw him selling drugs there this afternoon. You'll find drug baggies in his garbage can, outside of his house." -- probably more than adequate, assuming the verifiable factual information checks out.