Overview

• The court declared Lexington’s ordinance “null, void, and of no effect,” finding it conflicts with the 2021 statute known as Senate Bill 4.
• The ruling reverses the Kentucky Court of Appeals and resolves the Fraternal Order of Police Bluegrass Lodge #4’s challenge in the union’s favor.
• Senate Bill 4 permits no‑knock warrants only with clear and convincing evidence of violent threats, requires supervisor approval and prosecutor consultation, and limits execution to 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. absent exigent circumstances.
• State law imposes a Class D felony for false statements in applications and deems evidence from improperly obtained no‑knock warrants inadmissible.
• Justice Michelle Keller dissented in part, joined by Justice Angela McCormick Bisig, and the decision raises questions for similar local bans as Louisville officials say their ordinance remains in effect.