Is loud music enough of a (legal) reason to enter a home without permission?

[Duer 157099]

If my stereo is blasting at midnight and I'm in the shower, do the police have the right to knock my door down?

(not saying I'd ever blast my stereo at midnight while in the shower, but this is a hypothetical)

[Kalidurga]

1. It probably is...

maybe not technically. However, they could say they suspected foul play if you don't answer the door because you can't hear them.

[Lionessa]

2. Wild guess, ... depends on local noise rules

And I don't mean laws. If in a complex with rules about noise after 10pm or such, yes, I think they can enter to enforce, but also if the music is blaring and you're not answering they might suspect a problem, like you're passed out, hit your head, died in the shower, whatever.

[Duer 157099]

3. What if someone sleeps with earplugs in and

some device automatically and accidentally turns on their apartment?

It bothers me that people think it is OK to enter someone's home just for that.

[randome]

6. You can't be an ass to your neighbors without suffering the consequences.

Some of them may have a desperate need for a sound night's sleep. So, yeah, if you're inconsiderate enough to keep people awake and you won't or don't answer your door, I say break it in and shut that shit off!

[Lionessa]

7. Before you get your panties in a wad, consider this alternative scenario.

As you say, something kicks on or is left on in the home of your friend, sister, daughter, mother, or grandpa, neighbors call the police, the police arrive, knock and leave. Two days later, you come to find this dear person was in distress, couldn't answer the door, and instead died because the police didn't investigate and enter. Now does it seem like such a bad way of doing things? Seems if this happened someone would sue the police.

[Duer 157099]

8. Unfortunately you project wrongly onto me

No, I would not want that, never. No matter.

Slippery slope and all that.

[randome]

9. Too many elderly people -and some not so elderly- die alone.

If there is sufficient reason to suspect an emergency, then the police would be right to take the appropriate action.

Study that term, will you: 'sufficient reason'. That is not a 'slippery slope' if a reasonable person agrees with it.

The law is not always black and white.

[Duer 157099]

11. Is loud music and nobody answering a door "sufficient reason"?

that is all I am asking.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

13. Doubtfull

[Lionessa]

10. No I was sure you wouldn't like that scenario, I wasn't saying you would.

But now you see the slippery slope of entering places with loud whatever at a time when loudness is not okay and no one answers the door.

It could be a good idea on one hand and yet an invasion of privacy on the other. I would hate though to be the cop that didn't enter and a few days later wished I had.

[Iggy]

4. There are Noise Ordinances in Nearly Every Town/City

usually there's an ordinance stipulating you cannot be disruptive/loud past a
certain hour.. typically 11:00 pm.

yes, the cops have the right to knock ON your door to ask you (once) to turn your
music down. if you don't comply for some reason, it's going to escalate & you're
going to get busted for disturbing the peace, etc.

In the case of Holmes' crib, I'm reading the music went off at 1:00 am-- around the
same time he was shooting up the theater.

in this case it's wise the police did not bust down his door, because it appears he
had his place "booby trapped".. I use the term loosely because in spite of all the
hype going on right now on CNN... what he set up does not fit the definition of
what an actual booby trap is. (the wires/devices are not visible).

[HopeHoops]

5. No.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

12. Entry without a warrant requires exigent circumstances

Loud music would not normally qualify. Cops have been known to embroider on facts to reach that threshold.

[Lizzie Poppet]

14. No. Unless it's hip-hop or dubstep. Then they should just set your house on fire.

I keed!

[LisaL]

15. His downstairs neighbor almost went in.

[Duer 157099]

17. Short of someone screaming for help

I can't ever imagine going into someone's home uninvited. I wouldn't even check the doorknob to see if it was unlocked.

[HipChick]

16. the police entered my home without a warrant

no music
they climbed in the bedroom window
i had called in sick to work,apparently no one piicked up the message
i woke up to flash lights in my face
i called it unlawful entry
they called it a wellness check
i am not eldery