What Can Police Do? Raid A Party?

Question

I am planning on having a party. I live in NJ. My property is set back a little and hidden by trees from the main road. You cannot see the house very well from the main road. I am 19 and the people attending this party are 19 - 20. We are all responsible college students. There will be alcohol at this party but no one will be drinking and driving. What could go wrong? What can a police officer do if they approach the property? Can they step onto the property? The front door is the first part of the house you come to if you approach the house. Can they walk by it and look in a window? There will not be much noise at all as my house is very well insulated. Can an officer knock on the door? Can they enter the back garden? There will be no reason for them to do this; there will be no one outside. If someone who is 22 answers the door, and shows them ID do they have to leave? Can they enter the house if they don't see anyone inside? What is the punishment for the person buying the alcohol

Answer 1

They can enter onto your property and knock on the door. If they see something in plain view, for example; you open the door and your friend behind you is smoking a bong, you're done. And so is your friend.

The officer cannot walk around the property, peeking in windows, listening to walls, etc. That doesn't mean he won't. It just means that, legally, he can't. If he does, you will likely beat the rap unless he makes up something to justify those actions.

If he knocks on the door and someone answers, the officer may ask permission to enter the house. This permission can only legally come from someone who is a resident of that house and has authority of it. You can give permission for the officer to come inside, but one of your guests are not authorized to do so. Again, if one of your guests invites the officer in, and he finds something to charge you for as a result, you could easily get it thrown out.

No matter how well insulated the house is, I doubt that the noise and movement will go unnoticed if an officer comes to the door. If he hears a lot of noise, he may come around the back or something to try to get attention from someone. Even if he's just snooping, this may be the guise he'll use to dig up some dirt on you.

If an officer actually shows up, that is.

El Chistoso

Answer 2

If an officer gets a complaint call about the property they can do all of the above. They will work to alleviate the source of the complaint.

You cannot just make an officer leave. Regardless if a 22 year old answers the door. The officers will ask to speak to the owner of the house and that person will have to have ID stating they live there. They can and will look into windows to see what they are getting into before ringing the doorbell.

The punishment for an adult buying a minor alcohol is a Gross-misdemeanor...which menas a fine of up to $3000 and up to 1 year in prison.

Your best bet...don't host a party you know is illegal. I went to some back in my college years...but I never hosted one.

And to SAMHILL....you have no idea what you are talking about!!! Police do not need a search warrant to enter a property...and you MUST open the door for them...what do you think they will do? Just leave because they were not let in? NOPE. They will call the sergeant and get permission to break down the door...or get a hold of the property owner (your parents probably) and get them to open the door...depending on the circumstances. I know, as I have done it.

Answer 3

Many times I believe Responsible College Student is an Oxymoron and by the disconnected deluge of questions, I would suspect that your time would be better spent studying than partying, but that aside, the Police will not come unless someone files a complaint. My recommendation is to keep the party orderly, quiet and responsible as you describe. If the property owner is at this function, they should answer the door, and if it is the police, they will state what the complaint was that they have and state corrective action. Unless a violation of the law is in "plain view" then they have no right to enter the premises without a warrant or permission, so if they ask if you mind if they come in and look around, tell them, yes you do mind as it would be a violation of your civil rights in the absence of a warrant. Keep the curtains closed so that there is no way the can say that the had plain view reasonable cause. If the back yard is separated with a gate that is lockable, lock it, this will help keep crashers out as well. Now, all that aside, there are laws against underage buying of alcohol, possession of alcohol and drinking of alcohol. Should you or whoever buys alcohol underage get caught and cited, you know what they say, don't do the crime if you can't do the time.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

First of all, you admit that you will be violating the law by allowing underage drinking. Yes, the officers can do all of the things you ask, bypassing the front door, etc. if they receive a complaint. You should be more concerned about the consequences if something goes wrong. You could be held criminally liable or civilly liable if someone is injured or worse.
Recently in the state of Ohio, an underage female, out with her friends at a bar, became intoxicated and later struck by a train and killed. Her friends have been charged for supplying her with the drinks. Several cases have been filed against the homeowner where a party takes place and a participant is injured or killed. The liability would extend past the premises where the drinking initially occured. If something should happen after this party while the participant is on the way home, you could be held liable. All in all, your concern should not be whether you are caught but what could, and sometimes does happen which could ruin your future.

Answer 6

The police if given probable cause that a crime is being committed can enter the property without invitation to investigate. Yes an officer can look in the window if it is not covered. Yes they can and will knock on the door. No they do not have to leave if they suspect underage drinking, they will just wait for a warrant. Punishment varies from state to state but can be severe.

Answer 7

Just to play it safe designate a driver for those who insist on leaving, and post them in the driveway to watch for the police, refuse to let them on the property without a search warrant, if you don't the police can and will enter the property and look in the windows. Do not open the door if the police do knock on it, just ask who is it and what do you want, as soon as you turn the door knob to open the door you will be pushed aside and the police will flood in without a warrant stating they thought they smelled pot, that gives them probable cause to search and id everyone there and trash the house to boot, everyone will go to jail, just remember have a look out and don't open the door even to peek out at them or sure as I'm typing these words they will say they smell pot to gain entrance. If they threaten to go get a warrant and police dogs let them do it, they are more likely bluffing, just make sure they leave the property then get rid of everyone underage and any signs of drugs or paraphernalia! If an officer stays to watch for people to escape before a warrant can be obtained if it can be, call the police and report the officer for trespassing, tell him to get off your property or you will press charges against him, don't take anything off of the police, no matter what they threaten you with say no sir! If you have to when they knock on the front door go out the back door and walk around and ask may I help you. DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR FOR ANY REASON!!!

Answer 8

If noise becomes a problem, they can assume that there is underaged drinking, and use it for probable cause.
Keep the noise at a responsible level.

If anyone is found outside intoxicated, or with a beverage in hand, that is grounds for search.
don't let anyone run around like idiots outside

If neighbors complains about noise or peace disturbance, your whole party is getting searched.
be respectful of your neighbors.

if a cop notices the party and decides to run plates, if any of them are registered to underaged people, it is probable cause to suggest underaged drinking.
have people carpool with people who are of age.
keep as few automobiles as possible viewable from the road.

If you pass around flyers, or make signs to advertise, the cops already know about it.
invite by word of mouth, and only people you trust not to be a problem.

if anyone gets caught driving drunk underage, your whole party will be searched.
take the keys.

If you are buying a keg, the police will know where it is going to be, so they'll probably show up to see what they can find.

most of the time when people are arrested for these kinds of things, it is because a fight breaks out, or some idiot does something stupid to get the police involved, not necesarrily related to the booze. The police find out they are drunk and underage, and thats the end of that.

have fun, be responsible, and be safe.

Answer 9

Um police usually need a complaint from neighbors or such- underage drinking is of course, illegal. If someone who has 22 solely opens the door, the police will probably still come inside as they would be there most likely for a noise prominence or some sort of public disturbance....

Answer 10

They can enter the party to check the situation, you can refuse, but it looks bad. If any neighbors complain, they will definitely check it out and probably shut it down. If they determine you have alcohol and are underage, get ready for some big trouble.