Opinion Summary: Case v. Montana | Probable Cause Confusion
Opinion Summary: Case v. Montana | Probable Cause Confusion  
Podcast: SCOTUS Oral Arguments and Opinions
Published On: Fri Jan 16 2026
Description: Case v. Montana | Date Decided: 1/14/26 | Case No. 24-624Question Presented: Whether law enforcement may enter a home without a search warrant based on less than probable cause that an emergency is occurring, or whether the emergency-aid exception requires probable cause.BackgroundIn this case, Case challenged the established emergency-aid exception by asking the Supreme Court to require probable cause rather than the current "objectively reasonable belief" standard for warrantless home entries during emergencies. Holding: Result: Affirmed. Voting Breakdown: 9-0. Justice Kagan delivered the opinion for a unanimous Court. Justices Sotomayor and Gorsuch filed concurring opinions.Link to Opinion: Here.Oral Advocates:For Petitioner: Fred A. Rowley, Jr., Los Angeles, CA.For Respondent: Christian B. Corrigan, Solicitor General, MontanaUnited States as Amicus Curiae: Zoe A. Jacoby, Assistant to the Solicitor General, Department of Justice.