A:

If police come to your door, step outside and close the door behind you. Why? If the officers see something illegal inside your home through the open door, that could give them a reason to enter or search your home. Also, it will be easier for you and the officer to hear each other if there are other people (or a party) inside.

If the police say they are going to go inside or search your apartment, you do not have to consent to the entry or the search. They may be allowed to enter without your consent: They may have a search warrant, or there may be a reason they are permitted to enter without a warrant. Advise the officer that you don’t consent to the search but still obey the officer’s commands and don’t try to physically bar them from entering.

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