When the Police are At Your Door

#StayFreeTennessee

We have all heard about, seen, thought about, or perhaps have even experienced it… the dreaded knock accompanied by an echo of “police department!” So what rights do you have when the the police are at your door?

As a Tennessee criminal defense attorney who has defended clients in Franklin, Williamson County, Nashville, and throughout Middle Tennessee, in a variety of criminal charges that have involved, or even started with, the dreaded knock at the door. I’m often asked, “What are my rights when the police arrive without warning?”

First and foremost, you are not required to open your door to police officers if they don’t have a warrant. In fact, the United States Constitution and the Tennessee Constitution are on your side and are safeguards that protect all Tennessee residents from a warrantless search of their property.

Know the “Knock-and-Talk” Rule

However, it is important to be aware of what is known as the “Knock-and-Talk rule.” Basically, this rule is exactly what it sounds like. In Tennessee police may knock on your door and, with your permission, ask you a few questions. The key component to this is with your permission. You are not required to give the police permission to speak with you and you are not required to answer their questions. You are allowed to refuse to answer the police officers’ questions and can simply close the door.

Additionally, there are established limitations to the Knock-and-Talk rule:

(1) The first limit is that the police may only approach your door, knock promptly, wait briefly for an answer at the door, and then they must leave (absent some invitation to stay longer).

(2) Second, police are like vampires – they cannot enter your home unless you invite them in – and simply opening the door to see who is outside is not an invitation for them to come inside.

(3) Lastly, while the Knock-and-Talk rule allows police to approach your door, the implied invitation to approach your front door and knock can be terminated by you giving them a clear and express order telling the police to leave the property.

      
 Excellent4.9509 reviews
 4.9
 Excellent509 reviews
  Write a review 
 
 
 
   
 
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Katie Sigmond 
 1 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. very reliable!! always on it when needing something urgent and does a great job at getting it don’t the right way
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Claudia Herrera 
 1 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Muy agradecida enormemente con la abogada Lody power su profesionalismo es incomparable, me ayudó a resolver lo que yo necesitaba sin ningún problema. Me inspiró mucha confianza desde el primer momento y ahora gracias a Dios pude lograr lo que hace mucho tiempo. Quería hacer lo que más me gusta es que en mi idioma la recomiendo 100%🙏🙏

Owner's reply
Thank you for your 5 Star Review, Claudia! We are very proud to have been of service and for the trust that you placed in us to take care of you!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Mike C 
 3 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Ben Powers Legal Team are the BEST. At first it seemed like I didn’t have any hope. Thank God things turned around very well when he represented me.
He was able to get my case dismissed entirely like it never happened.
I will recommend him to any client who wants legal services.
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   James Davenport 
 34 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Ben and the team were amazing from start to finish, great communication and professionalism. The team was able to achieve the outcome I wanted quickly and with no issues, this is the only law firm I will ever use.

Owner's reply
Thank you for your 5 Star Review, James! We are proud of the quick outcome we achieved and are honored by your trust in us and our skills!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Levi Adams 
 34 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I’m extremely grateful for Ben Powers and everything he did for me throughout my DUI case. He was professional, knowledgeable, and truly cared about helping me through a difficult situation. I couldn’t have asked for better representation. Thank you, Ben, for all your hard work and for helping me get through this chapter. I highly recommend him!

Owner's reply
Thank you for your 5 Star Review, Levi! And thank you again for trusting us with your legal representation needs to advocate and look out for you during a trying time!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Tyler Lewis 
 45 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Ben Powers was very helpful, thoughtful and helped get the best result possible.

Owner's reply
Thank you for your 5 Star Review, Tyler! And thank you again for trusting us with your legal representation, very proud that we were able to achieve the best result possible!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Lori Albers 
 70 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Mr. Powers worked diligently through a very difficult case due to the sudden decline in my husband’s health. Mr. Powers is very professional and genuinely cares about his clients. He is definitely a very knowledgeable lawyer and I would recommend him 100 out of 100 times. You are in good hands with Ben.

Owner's reply
Thank you for your 5 Star Review, Lori! And thank you for entrusting us with your husband’s legal representation, we are proud to have been of service to you, him and your family!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Sarchasm _ 
 71 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. After making a dumb mistake and receiving a heavy ticket. Ben Powers was able to reduce the ticket to a negligible one. His efforts are definitely worth it and I highly recommend him for representing you! Thank you!

Owner's reply
Thank you for your 5 Star Review! And thank you again for trusting us with your legal representation!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Vance 
 77 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I thought my incident may have been to small for Mr. Powers to take on. He gladly accepted to take me on as a client. I could not be happier with the results I received from his Legal Powers!

Owner's reply
Thank you for your 5 Star Review, Vance! And thank you again for entrusting us to take care of you and get results for you!
  
 
     Posted on Google  
   
   Marcus Bell 
 83 days ago
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. In a time of need for someone to represent me on a case that i so much needed help with ben powers with his expertise and experience got me through my troubled time. Out of all lawyers in nashville area and i feel like in tennessee in general he will do his very best to get you from worse to great news. Me and my family thank him for what he's done for me on representing me and helping me through to get all my charges dropped and expunged to move on and live a better life. So if you as a parent need someone for your child i assure you , you wont go wrong with choosing ben powers and his firm legal powers!

Owner's reply
Thank you for your 5 Star Review, Marcus! And thank you again for trusting us to protect you, your family, and your future!

Contact Legal Powers in Middle Tennessee with Your Law Questions

If you have been charged with a criminal offense, or are under criminal investigation, and want a strong criminal defense attorney in Franklin, Williamson County, Nashville, or Middle Tennessee then contact us today to discuss your case and learn more about our strong legal representation!