This educational guide is based on the linked primary sources. It is not a Court publication, is not affiliated with the Court, and is not legal advice.
In brief
Overview
Background and question before the Court
The central legal question is whether the officers' unauthorized entry and failure to knock and announce can be considered a proximate cause of the homeowner’s injury.
Justices asked whether the knock‑and‑announce rule applies and how the presence or absence of a warrant affects the reasonableness analysis.
What each side argues
Petitioners
Petitioners argue that officers must be free to make split‑second decisions to protect themselves and the public, and that any rule limiting this is unreasonable.
According to Petitioners, they contend that the officer’s unconstitutional entry and failure to knock and announce caused the injury.
According to Ms. Saharsky (Petitioner), according to Ms. Saharsky (Petitioner), petitioner Ms. Saharsky asserts that officers faced a genuine threat, pointing a gun, justifying their actions.
Respondents
Source-limited. The record does not yet support a complete account.
What happened at oral argument
Oral argument began at 10:21 a.m. before the Supreme Court.
Leonard J. Feldman presented arguments on behalf of the respondents.
Justices asked numerous questions concerning the knock‑and‑announce rule, the need for a warrant, and the concept of proximate cause.
Counsel requested that the Court reverse the Ninth Circuit's judgment.
- [1] ef06ba9430f4f8010679-r1-54bca404abd9a1c5.pdf, p. 1
- [2] ef06ba9430f4f8010679-r1-54bca404abd9a1c5.pdf, p. 29
- [3] ef06ba9430f4f8010679-r1-54bca404abd9a1c5.pdf, p. 6
- [4] ef06ba9430f4f8010679-r1-54bca404abd9a1c5.pdf, p. 7
- [5] ef06ba9430f4f8010679-r1-54bca404abd9a1c5.pdf, p. 8
- [6] ef06ba9430f4f8010679-r1-54bca404abd9a1c5.pdf, p. 38
- [7] ef06ba9430f4f8010679-r1-54bca404abd9a1c5.pdf, p. 39
- [8] ef06ba9430f4f8010679-r1-54bca404abd9a1c5.pdf, p. 57
What the Court decided
Why it matters
Terms to know
No glossary terms are available for this guide.
Primary sources
Read the source materials on the official site or open the immutable repository copy used for this guide.
- ef06ba9430f4f8010679-r1-54bca404abd9a1c5.pdforal argument transcript
Guide generated September 25, 2026. Automated validation accepted this version.