If cops knock on your door...

Its reality, cops may knock on your door if tipped by a neighbor or suspect anything themselves. Many people panic and are unsure of what the cop can actually do and what he can't do.

Well the best thing to do is to NOT answer the door and keep out of plain sight. A cop cannot come in without a warrant, probable cause, consent, or 2 other exceptions which ill get to. A warrant is a piece of paper singed by a judge allowing the police to enter your home and search for contraband. Probable cause means that if a cop noticed criminal activity, funny smells, or sees illegal contraband in plain sight, he can come in and address the specific issue he saw, or smelled. Consent is if the cop asks you if he can search your home, you can say either yes or no. Saying yes of course is giving consent and he can come in and search.

If you do answer the door, step outside and shut the door behind you so he cannot see inside. If he sees anything illegal inside or smells anything "funny" coming from inside, it is probable cause and he can enter. Shutting the door behind you eliminates him being able to see or smell anything directly. Don't be dumb, if you have a 4 foot marijuana plant in front of your living room window, in plain view he can come in. Before you answer the door, do a quick look-around. Spray some air freshener if the area around the door may smell funny. If you are certain it does not smell, dont spray anything, it might seem suspicious.

Once your outside be calm and respectful. Talk to him like hes another human begin and nothing different. Let him know you are in control, without saying it directly. Speak up, don't let him on to anything. If he asks to search, politely decline. You DO have the right to say no to any unlawful search. Don't be afraid, the cop may threaten you, saying he has this and that and can do this and that if you say no, but don't give in. He has no right and if he did..he would've already been inside. You may want to come up with a reason such as bug bombs, or carpet cleaning as to why you don't want him inside but whatever you do, don't let him in.

If the cop says he has a warrant, ask to read the warrant or have him read it to you. Warrants are for certain things in certain places. If he has a warrant to search your house, he cannot search your car, garage, or a shed in your yard. And the warrant will say what hes looking for so if hes looking for a small grow op, he cannot look in things like your dresser, cabinets, under your bed, or places where there cannot be a grow op. So it is important that you ask to read or have the warrant read to you. If he does search your house, watch him, and take notes on what he is doing.

Their are special circumstances when a cop can enter your home without any of those three. If getting a search warrant interferes with an investigation, resulting in a loss of evidence, he can enter your home as he pleases. For example, if there was a robbery in your area and the robber was reported seen entering your house, the cop can come in and look around for the guy, but remember he cant look anywhere that a man could obviously not be hiding. He does not need a warrant because that would risk losing the evidence.

Also if you are being arrested inside your home, they do have the right to look around for any weapons or evidence. For example, if you are being arrested for robbing a microwave store. He can look around for microwaves and seize the evidence. Or if you had an accomplice, he can search for the accomplice.

Hope this helps some people out, ive had experience with cops and some are cool understanding people while others are dicks who've had too much Viagra. But remember they are people too. Can't live with them, can't live without them.

 

I have shaken cops hands before. Some refuse but unless you give them reason to...they wouldnt take it as a threat. Ive had a few cops knock on mine or friends doors and I opened and shook their hand.