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Can the police come into your apartment without a search warrant ?

The Providence police came to my house looking for the guy on the 3rd floor,they wanted to cut through my apartment to catch him,I cooperated with them because I didn't want ot get hit over the head with the night stick.

Public Comments

1. only if you let them. But they werent searching your stuff, right, so they didnt need a search warrant. You let them in.
2. Cooperation with helping the police find a criminal is one thing. I would let them in under those circumstances too. However, if they are there to search for evidence against you then they need a warrant.
3. You could have told them no. You would have been an azzhat for doing so though.
4. you can have easily denied. they have zero recourse, unless they could make a case that you were hiding him in your apartment!
5. No unless they have a search warrant they CAN NOT enter your house without your permission..They don't even need probable cause, cops came to my door cause they smelled weed and I wouldn't let them in so they had to leave..That's the facts babe
6. In this case, yes. They were in pursuit of a criminal and can take measures anyway they can to catch them..To simply search because they suspect your involvement in a crime that has been committed, they need a warrant.
7. You let them in. If you told them they couldn't enter without a warrant they couldn't. But you didn't do that.
8. Two words "Probable cause" so then Yes if none then they have no right.
9. Without a warrant, they can only enter your home if you allow it.
10. if they have probable cause. But they asked you and you let them so it's not like they broke down your door.
11. probably yes...but they can't search it, for that they will need a judge's order
12. You let them in so they did not break any laws. You are within your rights to refuse them entry without a search warrent.
13. They asked to cut through your place, you said yes. What's your question?
14. YEah they can come in with out a warrent if they need to pass thru. Why would you not let them in to catch a bad guy. Only a doofus wouldn't help. I am sure if you said no they would get thru anyway.
15. If they are chasing him at that moment then yes but if they are trying to get evidence for an ongoing investigation involving you then no.
16. no unless u let them in
17. By certain laws police officers can force their way in your apartment only and only if: the offender is committing a crime and the police saw him going into your apartment, or they have reason to believe they saw him in your apartment. But they can't enter your apartment whenever they feel like it without actually seeing somebody go in.
18. Do you honestly think they had the time to get a warrant if all they were doing was "cutting through" your apartment to get to someone.... That doesn't need a search warren seeing as how they warrant SEARCHING through your stuff. You had nothing to do with that particular case...
19. If i were you i would have said NOO! find a new way! and i would have called the neighbor and told him to run away from his house cuz they are coming for him! lol hate the po-po's
20. With probable cause yes. If you don't let them in its simple, we come back with a search warrant
21. good thinking to cooperate with the man. I believe with the homeland security thing they can do what they have to. But location is everything concerning where you reside. Learn that, and less crap will come to your door step. Like I always tell my kids, the police are our friends.
22. Yeah, they have to have a warrant in order to gain entry without your consent. Kudos to you for doing the right thing, even if it was to avoid a goose-egg on your noggin.
23. If you give permission, or there are exigent circumstances.
24. You let them in. No warrent needed if you invited them in.
25. If they are just walking through it I don't think they need a warrant.
26. They can come in my house anytime.
27. Basically, if a cop has probable cause they can enter. Generally, Probable cause refers to having direct sensory experiences of a crime in progress. So if they smell marijuana, see something through an open window, etc they can enter. Of course things vary location to location, but this is generally the rule. Similarly, if a cop asks you if he can search (or look around in) you car, you have the right to say no. If they had probable cause - they would not ask. When asked if you are hiding something, you can simply respond with, no I am a good American, I vote and similar to voting, I believe it is my responsibility to use my rights. Anything less would be unamerican.