So the officer says, "Hello sir, mind if we look around?"

[StealthBeast]

Many people here seem to have the opinion that it's important to exercise rights, just for the sake of exercising them (Use it or lose it). Other believe the right are there in case we ever need them, and should be used only then (Better to co-operate than raise suspicion). If a police officer knocks on your door and says, "Hello sir/ma'am, we got a phone call from your neighbor, she says she heard a loud scream. Mind if we look around?". Would you let the officer in or not?

If you let them in, they're probably just gonna take a look around, say, "Thank you for your time." and walk out. An inconvinience, possibly some may consider it rude, but that's all.

If you exercise your right to say no, they may either leave and that's that, or you may raise their suspicions, which could potentially cause an issue later.


What do you guys think. Is it better to co-operate with the police, or exercise the right?

[c.sander]

refusing to consent to a search does not provide reasonable cause for them to search. always say no. what possible good could come of the situation by you saying yes? that wouldnt come with you saying no

[jahwarrior72]

i think it depends on the situation. i've had police come to my house on a few occasions; once because a neighbor thought she heard a kid screaming, and another because they got a call about a "lady dancing naked in the window, covered in feces". in the first situation, they said someone called because a little girl busted her head open. we never called, and i called my girls down to show them they were okay, voluntarily; they never asked to see them, we just thought they should see them, to allay their fears.

the second occasion they did ask to enter the house. they'd woken us up, and said someone called about a shit covered lady in the window. my g/f and i were both confused as hell. the cops asked to enter, we told them they had to wait, so we could get some clothes on. when i went to grab some clothes, i saw the problem: our oldest, who was 8 at the time, was covered in chocolate syrup, and naked. she's autistic, and when she was younger, liked to get into various liquids, like ketchup, shampoo, vegetable oil, chocolate syrup, paint, vaseline, etc, and cover herself in them. we told the cops it was her, but since she was naked, we didn't want to bring her down.

"ooooh, she's autistic!" the one said, loudly. "that's okay then. she's autistic, dan, don't worry about it, she's okay." they left, without entering.

there have been other occasions where i have refused to let the police in. years ago, when i lived on my own, i had the cops banging on my door. my neighbors were partying, and the cops came to bust it up. they cleared that place out, and decided the whole house needed some searching. they asked if they coild come in, and i flatly refused. i was already being kept up by the partying, which was whi i called them in the first place. they wanted to search my house, because the neighbors said i supplied them with weed and beer. i didn't have any in my home; i knew it, and i knew they'd find nothing, but i was gonna be damned if i let them in my home and keep me up for another hour. they said they had probable cause, and could go get a warrant i necessary; i told them to make the call. they never returned.

[StealthBeast]

Originally Posted by c.sander

refusing to consent to a search does not provide reasonable cause for them to search. always say no. what possible good could come of the situation by you saying yes? that wouldnt come with you saying no

Not that I disagree with you, but for the sake of the argument..

Well if they're considering all neighbors as potential suspects, 4 of your neighbors consent to the search and your the only one who says no, legally speaking that isn't enough cause for... anything really. But they'll remember you, and you might have to deal with crap later on.

If you let the cop come into your house, look around for 3 minutes, let him do whatever it is he thinks he's doing, that's the definite end.

[gnbrotz]

Originally Posted by StealthBeast

Not that I disagree with you, but for the sake of the argument..

Well if they're considering all neighbors as potential suspects, 4 of your neighbors consent to the search and your the only one who says no, legally speaking that isn't enough cause for... anything really. But they'll remember you, and you might have to deal with crap later on.

If you let the cop come into your house, look around for 3 minutes, let him do whatever it is he thinks he's doing, that's the definite end.

I disagree. How do you know they won't find something they think is relevant, even if you don't. Then they have the opportunity to twist their findings to fit the mold of their working theory.

Have you watched this video? It's worth the time.
http://www.pisnnapalm.com/031408_DontTalktoPolice.wmv

[VeryPrivate]

I would not consent to a random request to search my house. If they have Probable Cause that they can enter, so be it. My parents did have occasion when the police knocked on their door and asked to search the yard. A group of robbers held up a supermarket around the corner and escaped through the neighborhood. One armed suspect had already been caught in a neighbors shed. In this case, I would happily consent to the exterior search, even if the PD did not need the consent.

[Elmar]

Cops are strangers, why would I let a stranger into my house because the stranger wanted to "look around".

There are two options:
1. They look around which allows them to note anything that might be technically illegal. There are several antiquated laws still on the books.

2. You refuse and they don't look around which means they can't find anything.

Only one opens you up to problems. If the police want to "remember" me well thats fine by me. I know the law and the department has more money than I do, if they want to take time to earn me some money in a future lawsuit - bully for them.

[shefearsnothing]

FUCK NO! They aren't coming in without a warrant. It's not to be difficult but number one they have no right and like Greg said, you never know WHAT they are going to twist around and number two since I run a BUSINESS from my home I don't need my neighbors talking!! I mean they aren't going to go around to all of them or hang up a sign saying "hey these people didn't do anything wrong. WE were wrong. OUR mistake." You know? So um, NO THANKS.

[PisnNapalm]

No, I would not let them in.

[Pector55]

YES!!!



NO!!!