USA - Noise complaints and probably cause for searching.

[fnord]

Ok so lets say the cops come for a noise complaint,they knock on the door and are greeted by a drunk 21+ pervert/hippie telling them "ok,sorry we will quite down night officer." then of course the cop would say:

"um me have probable cause to come inside you house"

Of course the home owner should say something to the extent of(probably with less sarcasm):

"no you cant come in,would you stand by and let someone with a gun into your house?"


so who is correct? does the cop have probable cause to come in due to a loud noise/music complaint? I dont think my town has any statues against being too load what else could they get me on? disorderly conduct?

What if the officer see's someone inside they "think" could be underage?

[Felonious Skunk]

1. If cops are at the door, let yourself outside and close the door behind you. Counter any garbagio of "Why aren't you letting us in?" or "Do you have something to hide?" with "The last time I was at a community safety meeting, the officer told me not to let strangers into my house. Do I know you?"

Closing the door also prevents them seeing things that could potentially give them probable cause to enter. BTW, having underage people in your house is in itself legal in all 50 states.

2. A noise complaint is not probable cause for them to enter or search your house. If they want to pursue it further, have them write out a formal complaint/summons.

3. If they insist on coming in (and they will invent a lot of bizarre shit in an attempt to do this), refuse consent, whip out your cellphone and tell them you're calling your lawyer. Even if you don't have a lawyer, simulate a conversation that conveys a scenario that your lawyer is on his way over and ready to take action. Something like:

"Hi Jason? Yeah it's xxxx. Yeah the cops are here and they're about to bust the door down for I don't know why...yeah we had the music a little loud and someone complained, so I told them to just write up a summons...no, I told them NO. Can you just come right over? Thanks..."

This accomplishes three things:

A. It reiterates your refusal to consent to a search.
B. It installs into their minds that a legal professional is on his way to deal with the situation.
C. It implies that you have experience with these types of situations and that you have effective ways of handling them.

Hopefully, this will convince them that whatever little booty they thought they were going to get out of the situation won't be worth the price you're asking.

There is also the chance that they might invent their probable cause and even the evidence. There's not much you can do about this type of criminality/corruption. That's why I've cooked up the "simulated lawyer phone call" to make them think twice about trying that shit.

BTW, all of this presupposes that there are no obvious signs of illegal activity like the smell of burning pot or a 13-year-old getting rear-ended by a dirty old man in plain view.

And definitely avoid the sarcasm. If possible, act like you're glad they are there and you are pro-cop. Unfortunately, gone are the days when you could interact with LE without all the psychological game-playing.

[fnord]

act like you're glad they are there and you are pro-cop.

Trust me i dont look like the type to be pro-cop,everything about me and my house insinuates i dont like/respect cops. Most of the houses ive lived in ALWAYS have a big sticker on teh door syaing

"Community Watch Area
Trust, respect and communication are essential to healthy community; protect your friends and neighbors from uniformed gang members and other suspicious characters.
Police not welcome."

BTW, all of this presupposes that there are no obvious signs of illegal activity like the smell of burning pot or a 13-year-old getting rear-ended by a dirty old man in plain view.

Nah,just asking because my roommates are underage.

thanks for the info,im well aware of the cell phone trick and not to let them in.

[old hippie 56]

Not only shut the door, but lock it. Swim done that a couple of times at his house and with his vehicle. Make sure you got a extra key.

[fnord]

Yup, you have a friend shut the door and lock it behind you,ALWAYS.failure to do so gets a cops foot stuck in the door,from there there only a step away form dirtying your floors!

[Felonious Skunk]

And take the wig off before you answer the door...

Reputation Comments on this post:

What about the sun glasses?