question about dealing with cops

[AmazingBlazing]

if cops come to your front door and knock do you have to open the door if you are clearly home?

AmazingBlazing Reviewed by AmazingBlazing on 06-23-2007. question about dealing with cops if cops come to your front door and knock do you have to open the door if you are clearly home? Rating: 5

[norkali]

Well if you live in America, then no. That is of course, unless the police have a warrant. The police may only enter your private place of residence if A) a police officer has obtained a warrant from a judge, or B) there are exigent circumstances. (exigent circumstances = A circumstance in which a police officer has probable cause to think that evidence relating to an illegal activity will be immediately destroyed without the officers immediate entrance, or probable cause to think that a person, or the officer, will be/is in immediate danger of physical harm.)

Thats my understanding at least. Wikipedia, Google, and books are all great tools, BTW.

[greenbastard]

No, you don't have to answer the door.

I'd add a C) to what norkali said. Don't grant them any permission to enter any part of your property. If you do, you waive all rights and they have access to your entire premises.

If you answer the door, step outside to talk with them and close the door behind you.

Stay safe.

[twoguysupnorth]

no you dont have to open the door, but if they have a warrant they can bust in. i had a friend who had a warrant for his arrest, but was at a different friends house when the police came to the door. the police were like open up we can see you there, all he said was no through the door, because friend x(homeowner isnt home) they couldnt do anything. a couple of wks later though they did catch him in his own house, and busted in his door to get in.

[Quincyboy]

like evryone else has said they can't enter your home without your consent or with a warrant same goes for motor vehicles so if a police pulls over your car and searches it make sure that it is clear you have not consented to the search and unless the officer can prove probbable cause to a judge all incriminating evidenve within said vehicle will not be useable against you.

that said it is my personal policy that whenever a police officer comes to my home or pulls me over and ask me to get out of the car I, in the case of houses I step onto the porch and close the door behind me (any evidence in plain sight may be used to incriminate you without a warrant) and in the case of car i lock my vehicle

NEVER let an officer inside your house unless they have a warrant or you called them there they will do their job well

[Quincyboy]

an afterthought, its private property right that keep officers from coming into your property without consent and the like, but interestingly and person/persons are subject to search at any given time with or without consent with the exception of immediatly after a person has reported a crime they cannot be searched in relation to that crime

in short anything you own is considered you propety by the goverment but you yourself is not considered your property but the goverments, alittle ironic if you think about it