A U.S. Supreme Court decision announced March 6 now defines more clearly when police may enter a home without a warrant.

The majority decision, read by Justice Stephen G. Breyer, came from an appealed case from the state of Utah. Last year, Brigham City police went to a home in response to a neighbor’s complaint about a loud party. The police officers entered the home through an open door and arrested three people on charges of disorderly conduct, intoxication and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to the Associated Press.

However, a Utah trial court, appeals court and the Utah Supreme Court all ruled the evidence of alcohol consumption found upon the police’s illegal entry could not be introduced as evidence.

In the U.S. Supreme Court decision, Justices ruled there are certain exceptions to the Fourth Amendment.

One exception is for “exigent circumstances,” in which split-second decisions must be made in order to prevent, for example, the destruction of important evidence. The other exception is the “emergency aid” exception in which police may act without a warrant in order to prevent injury or assist an injured person, according to the majority statement.

The appeals court also added the police could not have invoked the emergency aid exception because they did not enter the home to provide medical assistance.