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Crime & Law Enforcement Issues & Death Penalty/Need a warrant?
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Question
If you're having a small party and someone calls the police about a noise complaint, can the police just let themselves into your house?
They knocked on my door, and was I was walking over to it, they barged right in. Is that legal? Don't they need some sort of search warrant? Or is the noise complaint probable cause enough?
sean,
theoretically they need a warrant to enter, unless they were knocking several minutes at the door. there is a crime being committed, even though it is minor, this does give them some leeway to enter. just depends on where you are and their rendition of the situation.
darrin
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Answers by Expert:
Darrin Bell
Expertise
i am well versed on search and seizure, self-defense, domestic violence, 4th & 5th amendments, drugs, jails and conditions, tasers, raids.
Experience
i am currently the domestic violence coordinator for my department. i am a field training officer and i have been teaching self-defense, drugs, and search warrants and affidavits at the local academy for the past 10 years, and domestic violence for the past 3 years. i was the assitant to the federal monitor while our jail was under a consent decree, which we successfully came from under.
Education/Credentials
graduated from the police academy in 1989. successfully passed a consent decree. worked undercover for 5 years, narcotics for 6. over 1200 hours of training in specialized areas. certified defensive tactics instructor, taser instructor, completed management and superivision modules, senior deputy modules.
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