Can a police officer bust into your house without probable cause?

Answer 1

Without probable cause or reasonable grounds an officer of the law cannot enter your house. If they did, anything they find or seize would be used against them in a court of law for unlawful search and seizure. Im sure as well they would need a warrant to enter your house in the first place.

Answer 2

DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR FOR POLICE - EVER. From a practical point of view, Police probably WON'T knock down your door without a Warrant or Probable Cause, because it's generally illegal unless there's an emergency or they feel evidence could be destroyed. The only place that provisions against illegal search and seizure still exist to some small extent is when you are in your home. If you open the door for police - those protections, for practical purposes may be gone. However, realize that police could probably get away with knocking down your door illegally if they wanted to. Generally, as a lever to force you into submission they would arrest you on multiple charges. They would inflate the charges far beyond what was warranted. If you persist in taking them to task for illegal search and seizure (4th Amendment), or failing to take a plea bargain even if you're not guilty - the Prosecutor would not agree to drop the unwarranted and inflated charges. They would take you to trial, and the judge would suppress evidence favorable to your case. A Public Defender may not have the resources to defend you adequately. This would place you in the position of paying $5,000 to $10,000 for an attorney to start, and with an additional $25-100K if it goes to trial. Also, it would be difficult to get an attorney to represent you against illegal police actions. They are afraid of the cops too. The police know they can get away with almost anything. The police also would likely ransack your home, and plant evidence. They'll do this especially if it is a cover for their illegal activity of breaking into your house. Juries in the United States generally will not convict cops of illegal activity. Nevertheless, it is usually better not to open the door for police. If you open the door they will say to consented to whatever they did in that case. Courts are REQUIRED to take the word of the Police over yours, even if their lies are ridiculous and obvious. At least a shattered door is tangible evidence that you did not consent to whatever they did . You're probably going to get beaten up, and perhaps badly injured. Your life will be destroyed by the charges they level. You will be destitute because of the attorney fees. They make take your young children and put them in foster care. Your family may forsake you, abandon you, and find another breadwinner, if they can. If the cops break down your door - if it has come to that - you have probably screwed up some kind of way, whether you are innocent or guilty. DO NOT TALK TO POLICE other than to withhold consent. Do not chat with them in order to be polite. Do NOT do as they command if you are behind a closed door away from their taser and pistol - otherwise they will say you consented. Indeed - this may get you beaten - but to talk to them is even worse. DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR. DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR. DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR TO POLICE - EVER - not even to buy tickets to the Policeman's Ball. You cannot afford to take that chance. Try to video or at least audio record the encounter. If they discover you have recorded the contact they will likely seize or destroy the recording. Good luck. If the police are threatening to break down your door - your life is probably going to take a turn for the worse. You are already unemployable. Good luck.

Answer 3

Usually with a foot or a ram, but that probably wasn't what you meant.

The police are often allowed or required to enter a home without regard for whether or not a warrant exists. It may be a complaint of a crime in progress, or they may be in 'fresh pursuit.'

You may wish to discuss your concern with a local attorney. They will have the best advice and information.

Answer 4

They can, but it would be, as you noted in the question, unlawful.

That said, a warrant is not required in all circumstances. For example, if they were actively chasing you (or someone) for some crime ("hot pursuit") and you/they ran inside your home, they are legally authorized to continue pursuit and even break down your door if necessary.

Answer 5

No they cannot come into your house with out a warrant unless the have probable cause.