Should you talk to the cops when they come to your home?

If cops come to your home, you don’t have to talk with them. But if you choose to address the officers, ask them if they have a warrant. I’ve never heard of a house-party or noise complaint warrant, but if they say they have one, tell them to slide it under the door or hold it up to a window so you can verify that they have one.

Should you consent to a police search of Your House?

Don’t consent to any search of the house even if you have nothing to hide. In fact, don’t open the door at all until you see a warrant. But even if the cops do violate the law or come inside when they shouldn’t, don’t resist or try to run away.

What does the host do when the cops knock on his door?

The host winces as the cops dent his front door with their metal batons. Scared and confused, he opens the door and allows the cops inside his home. By opening the door, the homeowner has consented to police entry, and waived his protections under the Fourth Amendment.

Should you call the cops on your spouse for domestic violence?

Some folks think that when an argument breaks out calling the cops is a good way to cool things off. If there is real danger by all means call. But otherwise when you invite the cops into your home claiming that your spouse or partner has assaulted you you have started something you can’t stop.

Do I have to answer the cops if they don’t have a warrant?

If they don’t have a warrant, you don’t have to talk to them or open the door. The United States Supreme Court and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals have both recognized that homeowners don’t have to talk to cops or answer the door if they don’t have a warrant:

Can you still be charged if the police let you go?

Yes, if the police let you go you can still be charged later. But how common is that? It depends on the nature of the charge. With a speeding ticket like the example above, it is fairly unlikely.