NJ Court Upholds Police Use of “Flash-Bang” Device

New Jersey's Supreme Court has ruled police were within their rights to use a flash-bang device to search a drug suspect's home in 2007.

The ruling released Tuesday overturns an appellate court decision and reinstates the conviction of a Manalapan man.

Police used a flash-bang device, which emits intense light and makes a loud noise, as a diversion when they executed a search warrant at John Rockford's house.

A judge who signed the warrant had rejected a police request for a "no-knock" warrant, meaning officers had to knock and announce their presence before entering.

The appeals court ruled the use of the device violated the terms of the warrant and excluded the drugs found during the search.

Tuesday's ruling allowed the search. One justice dissented.

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