Final answer:
In North Carolina, law enforcement officers must obtain a search warrant to perform a no-knock warrant, allowing them to search and seize persons or property without knocking or announcing their presence. However, there are exceptions where police can conduct a warrantless search or seizure.
Step-by-step explanation:
In order to obtain a no-knock warrant, North Carolina law requires that law enforcement officers apply for and receive a search warrant prior to a search or seizure. This warrant is a legal document signed by a judge, allowing police to search and seize persons or property without knocking or announcing their presence.
However, there are certain circumstances where police can conduct a warrantless search or seizure, such as when the owner or renter consents, when there is a reasonable expectation that evidence may be destroyed, or when the items in question are in plain view of government officials.
The use of no-knock warrants in drug-related cases has recently been curtailed due to concerns about potential harm to innocent individuals, as exemplified by the wrongful killing of Breonna Taylor.