Our homes are the center of our lives.

We rest there, we play there, and increasingly we work there.

Its essential that our homes feel safe.

So, come up with a game plannow.

So what do you do if your day is interrupted by police at your front door?

This is not ananti-policeattitudeits apro-civil rightsattitude.

Private property in this country is sacrosanct.

You are under zero obligation to surrender that privacy if a warrant isnt in play.

The police have the right to approach your home and knock on your door, however.

No amount of PRIVATE PROPERTY signs on your lawn prevents them from doing so.

Note that this doesnt grant the police the right tosearchyour home once insidethat still requires a warrant.

This is a pretty narrow exceptionessentially, this involves police witnessing a crime and chasing a suspect directly.

They cant show up hours later accusing you of harboring a criminal.

Again, this doesnt allow the police to search your home while effecting the arrest.

Consent.This one is tricky.

If someone with real authority gives the police permission to enter, they can do so.

And the person consenting must have authority to do so.

Consent can be construed to apply to a search as well.

Bottom line: You dont have to cooperate if the police show up at your door.

If they have a warrant, theyre coming in anyway.

What to do

So, whats the script when police show up at your door unexpectedly?

Heres what you should do:

Decide if you want to interact.You are under no obligation to do so.

If you have a lawyer, consider calling them before doing anything.

Make them identify themselves and tell you their purpose.

Determine if you want to speak with the officers.Again, this is entirely up to you.

Inside your home, you have pretty broad discretion on how you spend your time.

And if you deny permission to enter and the police do so anyway, dont attempt to resist.

Again, this isnt because youre secretly operating a crime ring in your basement (are you?)

or because you hate police; its simply because youre asserting your rights as a citizen.