WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT KNOCKS AT YOUR DOOR

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WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT KNOCKS AT YOUR DOOR

The police are knocking at your door. Do you know what to do? Do you know your rights?

In the American criminal justice system, there is a long and solemn tradition of respecting the privacy of a person’s home. Law enforcement agents are not allowed to enter your home to conduct a search or make an arrest unless they have a valid warrant. At least, that’s the general rule. However, police officers have found a way to get around the warrant rule with a technique known as “knock and talk.” It works like this: Law enforcement agents approach a residence, knock on the front door, and engage the person who answers the door in conversation, hoping to gain entry and find evidence of criminal activity. Unfortunately for many citizens, this technique is often successful.

If law enforcement knocks on your door, you have to understand what is really happening – what is the motive for the visit – and know how to respond. First, let’s review the fundamentals:

What is “knock and talk”?

“Knock and talk” is an investigative technique; it is not an opportunity for a friendly chat or a meet-and-greet or community building. The officer who knocks on your door is investigating criminal activity, or a suspicion of criminal activity or, perhaps, an anonymous tip. Knock and talk is a way to further this investigation without a warrant.

Why do police use this technique?

There are two primary reasons officers rely on knock and talk. First, obtaining a warrant is time consuming, and requires the officers to demonstrate “probable cause” to believe they will find evidence of illegal activity. The knock and talk technique allows officers to quickly and independently pursue their suspicions. Second, knock and talk is often used because it is often successful.

Why is this technique often successful?

This technique often is successful because the average citizen is generally unfamiliar with his rights, and even those citizens who know their rights may be intimidated by the apparent authority of an officer and his badge. Consequently, many people will provide investigators with crucial evidence by making voluntary statements and by allowing officers to enter and search, simply because they are afraid to say “no” or don’t know that they have the right to say “no.” Moreover, sometimes just getting close to a home is enough for the police; evidence of criminal conduct can sometimes be seen, heard, or smelled from areas immediately outside the home, like the front porch.

Are there any restrictions on this technique?

Yes. Police officers are members of the public and, like anyone else, they are allowed to approach the front door of a residence in order to attempt to speak with the persons inside. However, the underlying premise of knock and talk is that it is a “consensual” encounter. Thus, the police must behave reasonably during a knock and talk. The officers’ actions may be deemed unreasonable and, therefore, unlawful, if, for example, they:

• Arrive at odd hours;
• Bring numerous other officers for backup;
• Display their weapons;
• Make threatening and/or coercive statements;
• Stay on your property for long periods of time; or
• Attempt to enter or search areas around the outside of your home that a member of the general public wouldn’t feel welcome to see.

What is the goal of knock and talk?

Generally speaking, the goal of knock and talk is to make an end run around the warrant requirement. More specifically, the officers’ goals in conducting a knock and talk are:

• To see inside the residence. Officers will try to peer inside the open door and uncovered windows in the hopes of viewing, hearing, or smelling evidence of illegal activity.
• To question the occupants, in the hope that they will voluntarily provide admissions and evidence of illegal activity.
• To obtain consent to enter the home and search the premises, without a warrant.
• To find evidence of illegal activity and/or make an arrest, thus justifying their initial suspicions.

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