What Should You Do If Police are at Your Door?

When the police arrive at your door it’s important to remain cordial says criminal defense attorney Mike Goolsby. The police have the ability to arrest you if they feel an act was committed against them. Usual causes for the police arriving are family violence or disputes. They have to believe a crime is being committed to decide if they want to enter the premises. Watch as attorney Mike Goolsby describes what steps you need to take if you find yourself in this type of situation.

Video Transcription:

Well, when the police officers come to your door if there’s been an issue about family violence. For example they hear screaming, I get this a lot with apartment complexes. Neighbors hear big arguments, maybe crashing things. When the police come to your door I always say be nice. So many people want to have attitude like you’re not coming into my apartment, this is my place. Well, what that says to a police officer is this guy’s an idiot. If I can come up with anything I’m gonna arrest this guy, so you need to be cordial. They do have the ability, if they feel that there was an act committed, they do have the actual ability to go into your place. And they will interview both you and the other person who is in the apartment to try to get any kind of evidence. Find out what went on, and in the case of family violence cases decide who they’re going to arrest. What goes on and how a police officer decides if they can come in to your place is, it’s a situation, the circumstances. They’ve got to believe that a crime is being committed and that would give them the ability to actually come into your place, apartment, home, or whatever it may be. And I actually make sure everything’s good. To speak to a lawyer call us at the Goolsby law firm. Our telephone number is 214-296-2770. We’ll get you in for a free consultation.