Can You Get in Trouble for Breaking into Your Own House?
Is it legal for you to break into your own house?
Yes, you can get in trouble for breaking into your own house—at least temporarily. If the police are notified that there is a break-in at a residence, either by a neighbor or a security alarm, they can detain or arrest you until you can prove that it is your home. It’s unlikely you’ll be charged with any crime, though.
Will I get into legal trouble?
You certainly can’t get a burglary conviction for breaking into your own house. Burglary is defined as entry into a building illegally to commit a crime, especially theft. You have full legal rights to enter your own home, and you can’t steal from yourself.
However, if you get angry with the cops who show up and respond aggressively, you could legitimately be charged with resisting arrest or disorderly conduct.
What should I do if authorities arrive?
If this situation ever happens to you, remain calm. Remember, the police are just doing their job, and if you don’t have any identification to show them, they need to verify your story before letting you go. Cooperate with the authorities even if it is embarrassing to sit in the back of the patrol car or, worse, be handcuffed.
Can I be fined?
Finally, you can be fined in most municipalities if the police are summoned to your house because of a false security alarm. False alarm fees can range anywhere from $50 to $800 or more depending on the city you live in and if you have had any previous false alarm violations. These fees are in place because false alarms can number in the tens of thousands each year and put a lot of strain on police resources.
Explore Our Other Blogs
Fire Systems for the Restaurant Industry
Companies in varying industries face fire hazards in their standard operations to a certain degree. Businesses that operate commercial kitchens, however, are at significant risk for fire-related hazards because cooking equipment is a leading cause of commercial fires. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, an estimated 50% of non-residential fires were caused by cooking in…
What are BDA Systems?
As technology continues to evolve and building codes grow more stringent, bi-directional amplifier (BDA) systems are no longer just a luxury—they’re a critical component in ensuring your building’s safety and compliance. Whether you’re a property owner, facilities manager, or contractor, understanding BDA systems is essential, and choosing the right partner for installation makes all the difference….
What is a Backflow Prevention Device?
Backflow prevention devices aren’t the most visible part of a building’s fire sprinkler system, but they still play an important role at the water supply connection. If water ever reverses direction in the system’s piping, it can pose a contamination risk to the potable water system. That’s why many local water authorities require backflow prevention…
The Only SimpliSafe Review You Need to Read
What is SimpliSafe? SimpliSafe is one of several do-it-yourself home security systems on the market. The challenge with any DIY home security system, in our opinion, comes down to the customer experience. SimpliSafe’s customer support offers minimal assistance to ensure you adequately install and troubleshoot your system. While they do provide an 800-telephone number, the…
Tips to Prevent Your Security System from Being Hacked
The Risky Business of Ring’s Vulnerable Security and other DIY security systems can leave your home as a potential target for hackers or thieves. When you are investing in a security system, you are hoping for peace of mind, and you are trusting this technology with your safety and property. Have I Been Hacked? A hacker may…
Can Video Surveillance Be Used In Court?
You should talk to a law enforcement professional in your area to know for sure what is admissible in your local court, but here are some general guidelines about criteria that law enforcement will take into consideration regarding your security camera video. Authenticity A digital watermark is undetectable to the human eye, but it can…
How Often Should You Check Your Smoke Detectors?
Fire Alarm Testing Whether your fire alarm is protecting your home or a commercial facility, regular testing of your fire alarm system is critical to ensure it is working correctly. This test guarantees that everyone occupying the home or office understands what to do when the fire alarm sounds, gives you a chance to check…
8 Home Security Tips
With more than 45 years of experience in the home and business security industry, here are our top eight tips for discouraging intruders and burglars from targeting your home. 1. Create the illusion that someone is at your house. If you are going to be gone for an extended time, leave a light or TV…
POTS Phase-Out: Impact on Life Safety Systems
When businesses hear about the POTS line phase-out, they often think only of desk phones. In reality, traditional copper phone lines have supported a much wider range of building systems, including fire alarms, security systems, elevator phones, and more. As carriers continue moving away from copper infrastructure, those connections may become more expensive, less reliable,…
ADA Compliance for Fire & Security Systems
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was created to stop discrimination against and to ensure the rights of people with disabilities. It serves as an equal opportunity law for people with disabilities, defined as “physical or mental impairment that substantively limits one or more major life activities.” For businesses, the ADA means that the services…