Kentucky Gov Signs Partial Ban On No-Knock Warrants, A Year After Breonna Taylor Death

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear signed a partial ban on no-knock warrants after the fatal shooting of Breonna Taylor that took place in March 2020.

The law signed by Governor Beshear is not the state-wide ban that was sought by protestors and some lawmakers. The partial ban allows no-knock warrants if there is “clear and convincing evidence” that the crime being investigated would qualify the person as a “violent person” if convicted.

The no-knock warrants must be executed between 6 AM and 10 AM. Officers are also required to take extra steps to obtain the no-knock warrants. Judges are required to legibly sign when approving the warrant. Now, an EMT is also required to be nearby during the execution of the no-knock warrant.

In the Breonna Taylor case, the no-knock warrant had been approved as part of the narcotics investigation. The police claim they knocked and announced their presence before entering the apartment, even though witnesses dispute the claim. No drugs were found on the premises and the no-knock warrant was later found to be flawed.

The city of Louisville in Kentucky has a local ban on no-knock warrants, which the legislation does not interfere with. The ban was named “Breonna’s Law” and was passed last year. It also required all the police officers serving warrants to wear a body camera. The city of Louisville also agreed to pay Breonna Taylor’s family $12 million and reform police practices.

The states of Oregon and Florida do not permit no-knock warrants, and Virginia passed a ban on the warrants last year.

In September 2020, one of the police officers involved in the Taylor case was indicted for allegedly shooting into the apartment of Taylor’s apartment. No charges were brought against the officers that shot into Taylor’s apartment. The Louisville Metro Government and the police officers admitted no liability nor wrongdoing.