What is a good cause situation for serving a search warrant at night?

A good cause situation for serving a search warrant at night hinges on the urgency and the risk of losing critical evidence. When the property sought will likely be removed by dawn, it creates a compelling reason for nighttime enforcement. This scenario emphasizes the importance of gathering and preserving evidence that could be lost if law enforcement waits until daytime to act.

In such situations, the time sensitivity involved in securing evidence outweighs the standard practice of executing search warrants during daylight hours. This approach is rooted in the principle that timely intervention can prevent the destruction or removal of evidence, ensuring that investigations can proceed effectively.

Considerations for the other options highlight certain misconceptions or less pressing circumstances: while knowing that suspects are likely to flee may increase urgency, it does not alone justify the need for nighttime action. Similarly, having evidence secured already at the police station diminishes the necessity to act at night, as it is already in safe custody. Finally, the assertion that search warrants are not valid at night is inaccurate, as laws generally allow for nighttime service under suitable conditions, such as the one described.