Should I press charges?

Question

A few nights ago, about 2 in the morning, someone was beating on our door. My husband opened it a crack (though I've told him not to open the door at all without asking who it is first). He asked what the person wanted. It was a female who wasn't making much sense. He thought she said, "Can I buy a tv?" Then she began asking for "Steve." He told her she had the wrong apartment and I clearly heard her say, "No, I don't." He tried to shut the door on her and she actually tried to push her way into the house. She did manage to get her head in twice. He told her, "Don't come in my house!" and then finally shoved her forcibly out the door and shut & locked it. About 15 minutes later, there was a loud pounding on the door. I told him, "Do not open it. Call the police." I figured she was angry and got a guy to come back w/her and cause trouble. Which, my neighbor who looked out the peephole said that is what she did do. Should I press charges on these people? The cops know who they are.

I have two main reasons for wanting to: first, I'm VERY angry that these people would do this. We don't even know them. This is the sanctity of my home. I deserve to have that.
Second: THEY need to learn a lesson for their own safety. We could have had a gun in here or anything. You can't just walk in someone's house. I actually have a metal pipe behind the door that I went for but my husband talked me out of it.

Uh, Melinda? The charge is called home invasion. It's what the police call it when a person forces their way into your home.

Oh and i forgot to mention: I had pretty much written it off as a drunk being a drunk until she came back with some guy and was kicking my door for 10 minutes. That made me angry. I have a baby in here. What, exactly were their intentions? You know what I mean?

I spoke with the officer. He said we could press charges on her for entering our home but we have decided a better avenue would be to complain to our rental office. If, however, I have another run-in with this person (now that I know who it was, I realize this isn't the first) all bets are off.

Answer 1

Absolutely press charges....you're right...that is your home!!

Answer 2

If there is an ongoing problem of people coming to your apartment and banging on your door making loud noises, etc I would say yes. If this were an isolated incident of drunky being stupid then I would say no.

Also you say this was a few nights ago so the result of you calling the police worked. The woman and her guy are gone and you don't have to deal with them.

As I tell all of my customers, it's your option, I have to write a report either way what you decide just changes what type of report. If you don't know these people and you just want to get on with your life, I would let it go though, really. Is it worth your time to miss work, travel to court numerous times (you will have to testify whether it be trespassing, peace disturbance etc) because they didn't show up and then have them found guilty and know where you live/ who you are.

I hope this helps you. Can you say what charges the officers said you could pursue?

Answer 3

I would. People like this need to suffer consequences, or there is little chance of their behavior improving. It sounds like you need to speak with the management at your apartment complex, too. This person may be breaking rules of the complex and maybe you could get them kicked out.

Hopefully, you don't have a car parked outside where they can glue your locks or slash your tires...that is something to think about, but if something like that were to happen anyway, you would have already established a pattern from these people and made it easier to prosecute them.

I just don't like the idea that she can drunkenly bang on your door and then bring back reinforcements when she has clearly knocked on the wrong door and then been abusive. At the very least, maybe you need to move to a better neighborhood. Good luck.

Answer 4

It is best to call the police at the time the attempt to get into your house is happening. As it is, you have a pretty weak case for much more than a warning to stay away from your house. This may be enough to stop furtehr intrusions. If they do come again, keep the door shut and call for police immediately. You can respond to the tv question with a simple, no we don't have one for sale and there is no one named Steve here.

Answer 5

If the police responded for that incident, then they will have a police report and your neighbor should be listed as a witness. Yes, definitely press charges. It could be used in the future against the woman/companion in case they decide to cause more trouble.

Answer 6

Personally I would have dialed 911 the second the person stepped inside my home. I think I would press charges and definitely call the cops the moment they show up if they're stupid enough to come back.

Answer 7

You said they need to learn a lesson so teach them one by pressing charges.

Answer 8

I would. You will need this on record if you should ever press charges or what to get a restraining order.

Answer 9

My question is, was she drunk or just mentally ill? If she's mentally ill then no jail time will fix that. If she's drunk however they can get her drug and alcohol treatment.

Answer 10

What charges would you press, exactly? Is it illegal to knock on someone's door? I guess I don't understand. They must have commited a crime to have charges pressed, right?