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
What to Do If a Package Is Stolen
According to a recent study, nearly one in four people report being a victim of package theft and nearly half know someone who has had a package stolen. Of course, the uptick in package theft is not that surprising, considering consumers purchased $2.86 trillion in online retail goods in& 2018. Many of these items land squarely in…
5 Reasons Why You Need a Home Security System
A home security system protects your home and the ones you love. While there are many reasons you may need to invest in a home security system, we have highlighted some key ones: 1. Peace of Mind Have you heard a noise in the night and ever wondered what made the noise? A home security…
Emergency Egress 101 for Commercial Buildings
When people think about emergency egress, they usually picture exit signs and the nearest door. In reality, egress is the entire route occupants rely on to get out quickly and safely—often under heightened stress, reduced visibility, and crowded conditions. When a means of egress isn’t clear or usable, even a minor emergency can turn into…
What Matters in a Fire Alarm Inspection?
At FSS Technologies, we understand that safety and reliability are paramount when it comes to fire alarm systems. While installing commercial fire safety systems is a critical first step in protecting your business, your efforts can’t stop there. Fire alarm inspections are just as necessary to ensure your building is prepared for emergencies. Learn about what…
How to Deter Burglars
While owning a home security system automatically decreases your chances of being burglarized, there are many common mistakes and oversights that can compromise its reliability. Here are the most important safety precautions you can take in conjunction with your security system to ensure your home is safe from thieves. Create the Illusion that Someone is…
How Do Residential Fire Sprinklers Work?
Residential units are essential pieces of many commercial and mixed-use developments. Whether you’re building townhomes, low-rise apartment complexes, or single-family dwellings, fire protection requirements extend beyond nearby commercial spaces. Builders and general contractors must understand how residential fire sprinkler systems work, how they differ from commercial systems, and which codes apply to different projects. While…
Alarm Monitoring Services: How They Work
An ear-piercing siren and flashing strobe lights create an immediate sense of emergency and indicate an alarm of some sort has been triggered. Now that the alarm has been triggered and the warning sirens have sounded, what happens next? If you have a monitored security system, it won’t just be the neighbors or passerby alerted to…
Wired vs. Wireless Security Cameras
Wired or Wireless? When we talk about wired versus wireless in-home security, it has little to do with whether a piece of equipment has physical wires attached to it. The terms wired and wireless refer to the communication signal that is transmitted from one piece of security equipment to another. For a security system to…
5G Security Concerns & the 3G Sunset
Consumers are using the internet on the go more than ever. By 2022, it is projected that consumers will utilize nearly 11GB of data per month, primarily due to video consumption. To create a more robust and long-term solution, technology infrastructure is working towards the next generation of mobile networks: 5G. With this network upgrade…
What Are The Different Types of CCTV Cameras?
Your company’s security camera is part of a closed-circuit television system (CCTV). CCTV uses one or more cameras, through either wireless or wired transmission, to send the broadcast from the camera directly to a monitor, set of monitors, or a recording device—providing you peace of mind in the case of crime, fire, theft, or accidents…