Legal Definitions - nonoccupant visitor

A nonoccupant visitor is a person who is not currently living or working in a place, but is present there for a specific reason. In criminal procedure, this term is often used to refer to someone who is connected to a business that is being searched in accordance with a search warrant.

During a police investigation, a search warrant was obtained for a local restaurant suspected of drug trafficking. The owner of the restaurant, as well as the employees and customers present at the time of the search, would be considered occupants. However, if a supplier who regularly delivers goods to the restaurant happened to be there during the search, they would be considered a nonoccupant visitor.

Another example could be a landlord who owns a rental property that is being searched. If the landlord is not currently living in the property, but is present during the search, they would be considered a nonoccupant visitor.

These examples illustrate how a nonoccupant visitor is someone who has a connection to the place being searched, but is not currently living or working there. They may be present for a specific reason, such as conducting business, but are not considered an occupant of the space.