I call to file a complaint against loud, noisy and aggravating neighbors. Would it be best if I file a complaint to the police first. Please, someone help me.
2007-01-10 09:05:38 · 25 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I would talk to the neighbors first, if that did not work then I would go to the police, then a lawyer. Neighbors can really be a problem, huh.
2007-01-10 09:11:27 · answer #1 · answered by Z 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just answered a similar question the other day, only I believe this was in an apartment complex, in which case asking help from the landlord or management first, would be best--since neighbors can be very vengeful , & unless you want a war on your hands, you need to proceed in the most civil way possible. I don't know if you've already made a complaint to the neighbours, & they've ignored you. I'd suggest--all other options aside--that you file the police complaint first. You can then see a paralegal, (they're less expensive & often more helpful). Whatever anyone suggests here, do keep this in mind, in whatever way you feel, in your circumstances you can avoid/cope with the reality that most people GET EVEN. This doesn't mean you have to be a wimp; just keep it in mind. I'm going through something similar myself. The other question was answered by all sorts of evil things the offended person could do--which would only compound the problem. NEVER use "self help." Proceed wisely, & maintain your credibility.
Edit: Some of the people here seem to feel legal advice isn't necessary. If you know everything about laws in your area, the protocol & so on, then go for it. Remember the neighbors could slap a frivolous harrasment on you that you'd win, wasting time & energy etc., but just calling the police isn't the total answer.
2007-01-10 09:24:58 · answer #2 · answered by Psychic Cat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you'll want -- or need -- to be getting a lawyer in this situation. About the only thing a lawyer you hire could do for you is go to court and attempt to get an injunction against your neighbors (basically getting the court to issue a court order ordering your neighbors to stop their activities). Your circumstances, however, present a weak case for a court to even consider enjoining your neighbors' activities let alone actually issuing the injunction. Besides, you'd be spending unnecessary amounts of money in attorney's fees.
Here's what I would do, in this order (doing the next one only when the previous action didn't produce results)
1) Talk to your neighbor and ask them to keep the noise down
2) Talk to your landlord or building management (have them resolve the issue) - use this option a few times before going to #3.
3) If both of the above fail, THEN call the police. If the police write them up, you'll have documentation. If these things keep happening, keep calling the police. Eventually, your neighbors might have to face nuisance charges. If this happens, they'll be the ones paying the attorney fees for a defense attorney. You won't have to do a thing. Prosecutors (called District Attorneys or State's Attorneys - depending on what state you're in) will handle "your" end of the case.
Do everything in a civil manner so you don't encourage any retaliation or actions taken just to spite you. I really don't think it'll come to police and legal action. If you get your landlord or building management involved, that should resolve the situation.
Also, someone above advised you to speak with a paralegal. Just know that, by law, paralegal's cannot give you legal advice. Nor do they necessarily know enough about the law to give you any advice -- although many paralegals love to act like they know more about the law than attorneys. So basically what I'm saying is you going to a paralegal and paying them for their advice would be the same as you paying to use Yahoo! Answers. Doesn't make sense right? Exactly.
2007-01-10 09:51:46 · answer #3 · answered by Rich 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can call the police and report the loud noise disturbance to the police. The police should then send a patrol car out to investigate the noise complaint. They usually warn the person involved in making the disturbance to quiet down and the the officer leaves the area. Don't be surprised if you then later have to call the police station again about the noise again as the offending person can turn the noise down while the officer is there only to "crank it" (the noise) back up later that same day.If the police write the offending party involved in the noise complaint a class c misdemeanor ticket, then you will be later be summoned by the prosecuting attorney for the city to appear in a court proceeding against this person charged with this offense, as a witness of behalf of the state in this case.
2007-01-10 09:17:18 · answer #4 · answered by attyvette 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Turn on a tape recorder. Call the police for a disturbing the peace complaint. Continue to do this until the police take care of the problem. A lawyer is not the way to go on this kind of situation. If the people do not own the property, notify the owner.
2007-01-10 09:14:33 · answer #5 · answered by beez 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Talk to your neighbors first. If that doesn't work, call the police and file a complaint. Keep documentation in case you need to go to court. You won't get any money unless you can prove damages, so don't think "free money". Usually, a few calls to the police does the trick.
2007-01-10 09:08:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
is this a house or an apartment? If it's an apartment, go through their security. A lot of places have something like 3 complaints and you're out. If it's a house, use the police. A lawyer wouldn't really help you.
2007-01-10 09:09:14 · answer #7 · answered by It'sjustme 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you live in apartments, file a complaint with the manager. Otherwise you would need to call the police, but unless they are making loud noise late at night, they probably won't do much about it and you may make a bad situation worse....
Good luck!
2007-01-10 09:10:02 · answer #8 · answered by nicole_g20 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes your best bet is going to the police first. There is really nothing you can do as far as hiring a lawyer unless you were able to prove that the noise has brought the potential selling price of your home down in some way, shape or form.
In many cases where neighbors do not do upkeep on their house/lawn, they are sued for bringing the property value of surrounding homes down - this is also why homeowners associations are becoming much more popular.
Hope this helps.
2007-01-10 09:09:27 · answer #9 · answered by degendave99 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Call Police, file a report. Then get in touch with an attorney. Try the sites below for more information.
2007-01-10 10:24:11 · answer #10 · answered by citronge69 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋