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Is it legal to walk into someone else's house if the door is unlocked?
Like if I didn't break in or hurt or threaten anyone, if I just walked in the front door would that be legal? What about just until the property owner asks me to leave? No harm no foul assuming I just walk back out, right?
Also I don't steal anything, I just physically hang out in house until being told to leave
7 Answers
- ?Lv 71 week agoFavourite answer
Not without permission, it's not. In every jurisdiction, entering a residence that is not yours or that you are not a tenant of through an unlocked door (or an opening or crawling through a window that’s partially opened) is a crime if one doesn't have permission to be there, thus constituting both "trespassing" and "breaking and entering," the word "breaking" being a bit misleading for some since the crime of "breaking and entering" actually requires no physical force of prying, kicking, or other damage to transpire. "Breaking and entering" is also a separate charge from burglary, and you can be charged for it even if you committed no other crime.
- .Lv 61 week ago
Entering anyone’s house or property without permission is unlawful, defined as trespassing. That’s all that is required. Most jurisdictions have that as a misdemeanor. If an intent to commit any crime whatsoever can be described, it becomes burglary. That’s a felony.
It’s also important to note that some states have enshrined the “Castle Doctrine” in their laws. That (pretty much) means a homeowner can use deadly force without retreating the moment your big toe touches their property line.
- Anonymous1 week ago
Of course that's not legal and why would you want to do that anyway?