The Police Are At Your Door

What To Do If Police Officers are at Your Door

1. Before you do anything.

As soon as you open your door the officer will be able to use their training to inspect your home. If you have anything that is illegal and police see it they can arrest you under the plain view doctrine. The same is true if the smell something they know to be illegal. Further if you have anything that may be legal, but may put them on edge such as a weapon or large dog it is best to put them away.

2. Should you open the door?

Without a warrant or special circumstances police cannot enter your home and you do not have to open the door. If they do have a warrant or en exigent circumstance exists however they have the ability to break your door down if you do not open it.

3. No-Knock Warrant

Police can obtain a warrant to enter a home without knocking, ie breaking down the door. If they are mistaken, break down the door to your home, and discover evidence of a crime it still may be used against you.

4. The police do not have a search warrant.

Even without a warrant if police are interested in entering your home they may try to manipulate you into allowing them in. If they do not have a warrant it is always best to NOT invite police into your home. The may ask you for permission to enter without telling you that you may refuse their request, only if they have a warrant can they come in.

5. If the police have a search warrant.

If the police arrive at your home with a search warrant they are still supposed to knock and announce their presence. If they have a warrant it is illegal to try to prevent them from carrying out their search, however you at this point you should not answer any questions without your attorney present. Once you open the door and are served with a warrant if there are any errors, such as the police are in the wrong house, politely point them out. If there are any irregularities in the police behavior keep track of them, use your phone to video if able.