kotietsinnät

Kotietsinnät, or house searches, are legal actions by police or other authorities to inspect a private dwelling in order to locate and seize evidence related to a suspected crime. They are intended to balance effective law enforcement with the privacy of residents, and they are typically limited to specific places, times, and items.

Legal basis and scope: In Finland, kotietsinnät are governed by the Criminal Procedure Act. A search generally requires a court-issued warrant based on probable cause. In urgent situations, or to prevent destruction of evidence, a search may be conducted with a temporary authorisation or with consent from the resident. The warrant should specify the place to be searched, the items or categories of items sought, and the time window.

Execution and procedures: The search is carried out by police or other authorized officers, often in the presence of a witness or with a second officer present. Officers must identify themselves and present the warrant. An inventory of seized items is prepared, and items may be seized if they are listed in the warrant or discovered in plain view in connection with the investigation. Residents have the right to be informed about the search and to have access to counsel.

Rights, safeguards and remedies: Persons subjected to kotietsinnät have rights to legal counsel, to be informed of the reasons for the search, and to challenge the legality of the search in court. Evidence obtained through an unlawful search may be excluded in judicial proceedings, and improper conduct can lead to remedies or suppression orders.

Context and variations: Kotietsinnät are most common in criminal investigations but may also occur in certain administrative or regulatory contexts where authorities have defined search powers.