Walk It Through: The Knock at the Door
Officers at the door with no warrant, a roommate who says come in, an argument reported an hour ago, and a scream inside.
Officers knock and say they want to come in to arrest a roommate. They have no warrant.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
Officers at the door without a warrant. A search warrant served at the house and a protection order case are left to their own pages.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- Domestic abusePhysical abuse or threats of it by a household member, causing physical harm, unreasonably restraining liberty, putting someone in reasonable fear of imminent harm, or forcing sexual activity.
- Domestic batteryKnowingly or recklessly causing bodily injury to a household member by physical force, with higher penalties after earlier convictions.
- Household memberSpouses and former spouses, people who live or lived together as a couple, parents and adult children, other adults sharing a home, parents of a child together, and people who are or were dating.
- Reckless endangeringRecklessly putting another person in danger of death or serious bodily injury, including knowingly pointing a firearm at someone without the necessity the section allows.
- Simple assaultUnlawfully trying to cause bodily injury to another, with the present ability to do it; a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $750.