Case v. Montana (2026)

Case v. Montana is a SCOTUS in the Classroom case. It was decided on January 14, 2026.

In this case, the Supreme Court will considered whether probable cause is needed for law enforcement officers to perform a warrantless search of a home when there are exigent circumstances.

Each term Street Law selects the most classroom-relevant, student-friendly cases as our SCOTUS in the Classroom cases. Teachers are encouraged to conduct moot courts the same week the case is argued, giving students the opportunity to follow discussion and analysis in the news and listen to or read a transcript of the actual oral arguments.

Case Issue:

May law enforcement enter a home without a search warrant based on less than probable cause that an emergency is occurring, or does the emergency-aid exception require probable cause?

Case Briefs:

• Brief of Petitioner: Case 
• Brief of Respondent: Montana

Oral Argument:

• Audio recording and transcript of the oral argument from the Supreme Court

Decision:

• Link to the opinion of the Court

News Articles:

• The New Republic by Matt Ford, “A Major Search and Seizure Case Is Coming to the Supreme Court,”(June 4, 2025) 
• SCOTUSblog by Rory Little, “The Supreme Court’s upcoming criminal cases,” (September 5, 2025) 
• Montana Public Radio by Shaylee Ragar, “U.S. Supreme Court will hear Montana man’s case over warrantless search,”(September 11, 2025) 

How to Conduct a Moot Court or a Mini-Moot Court: 

• Classroom Guide to Moot Courts 
• Mini-Moot Court Demonstration Video