Wisconsin Statutes
Wis. Stat. § 968.14 (2026)
Use of force
✓ current as of July 2026
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968.14968.14 Use of force. All necessary force may be used to execute a search warrant or to effect any entry into any building or property or part thereof to execute a search warrant.
968.14 AnnotationOfficers acted legally when, armed with a search warrant, they knocked on a door, pushed it open when the defendant opened it two inches, and put the defendant under restraint before showing the warrant. State v. Meier, 60 Wis. 2d 452, 210 N.W.2d 685 (1973).
968.14 AnnotationTo dispense with the rule of announcement in executing a warrant, particular facts must be shown in each case that support an officer’s reasonable suspicion that exigent circumstances exist. An officer’s experience and training are valid relevant considerations. State v. Meyer, 216 Wis. 2d 729, 576 N.W.2d 260 (1998), 96-2243.
968.14 AnnotationIrrespective of whether the search warrant authorizes a “no-knock” entry, reasonableness is determined when the warrant is executed. State v. Davis, 2000 WI App 270, 240 Wis. 2d 15, 622 N.W.2d 1, 99-2537.
968.14 AnnotationThere is no blanket exception to the knock and announce requirement for executing warrants. To justify no-knock entry, a reasonable suspicion that knocking and announcing will be dangerous, or futile, or will inhibit the effective investigation of a crime must exist. Richards v. Wisconsin, 520 U.S. 385, 117 S. Ct. 1416, 137 L. Ed. 2d 615 (1997).
968.14 NoteNOTE: See also the notes to article I, section 11, of the Wisconsin Constitution.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 9
cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1973–2023 · leading case: State v. Attaway, 870 P.2d 103 (N.M. 1994).
State v. Attaway, 870 P.2d 103 (N.M. 1994). “3 (Proposed Official Draft 1975). Many state statutes authorize the use of reasonable and necessary force in executing a search warrant, without expressly requiring announcement: 725 ILCS 5/108-8 (1992 State Bar Ed.”
State v. Edwards, 297 N.W.2d 12 (Wis. 1980). “"It's our position, Judge, that pursuant to section 968.14 I'm sorry, 968.15 with respect which indicates that search warrant must be executed and returned not more than five days after the date of issuance.”
State v. Cleveland, 348 N.W.2d 512 (Wis. 1984). “Rev. 871 (1971). [8] Sec. 968.12(2), Stats. 1981-82, states that a "search warrant may authorize a search to be conducted anywhere in the state and may be executed pursuant to its terms anywhere in the state.”
United States v. Dorothy Jefferson, 714 F.2d 689 (7th Cir. 1983). “Wis.Stat.Ann. 968.14. This provision has been construed to permit no-knock entry where justified on the facts of the case.”
State v. John J. Drachenberg, 2023 WI App 61 (Wis. Ct. App. 2023). “§ 968.14 as a closely related statute supporting its interpretation as to when a warrant must be executed under WIS.”
State v. Watkinson, 468 N.W.2d 763 (Wis. Ct. App. 1991). “2d at 517 ; see also section 968.14, Stats. ("All necessary force may be used to execute a search warrant or to effect any entry into any *754 building or property or part thereof to execute a search warrant.”
State v. Moss, 492 N.W.2d 627 (Wis. 1992). “See sec. 968.14, Stats. The ruse satisfied all of the purposes for the rule of announcement.”
State v. Meier, 210 N.W.2d 685 (Wis. 1973). “The fact that the defendant responded by partially opening the door made it apparent that the officers should act immediately for their own protection as well as possibly the protection of others.”
United States v. Singer, 727 F. Supp. 1281 (E.D. Wis. 1990). “Wis.Stat. § 968.14. This provision has been construed to permit “no-knock” entry where justified by the facts of a particular case.”
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