Your RightsDownload

Know Your Rights

Knowing your rights is not about confrontation. It’s about clarity.

When you understand what the law does—and does not—require of you, you’re better equipped to protect yourself, your family, and your community. This page exists to provide clear, practical guidance and to point you toward trusted organizations that offer deeper, regularly updated resources.

At Your Door

One of the most common pressure points in encounters with law enforcement or government agents is consent. You are not required to give it.

In most situations:

  • You do not have to open your door
  • You may speak through the door
  • You are only required to open the door if officers have a judicial warrant signed by a judge that explicitly authorizes entry

A calm, clear response—said once—is often enough:

“I do not consent to any searches or questioning.
I do not consent to entry.
Please leave unless you have a judicial warrant.”

After that, stop speaking.

If officers say they have a warrant, you may ask them to slide it under the door or hold it up to a window. Take a moment to check that it is:

  • Signed by a judge
  • Lists your name and address
  • Explicitly authorizes entry

Administrative warrants do not authorize entry into a private home.

Silence is not consent. You may say:

“I am exercising my right to remain silent.”

Then remain silent.

This guidance applies to everyone, regardless of citizenship or immigration status. Asserting your constitutional rights is not the same thing as resisting law enforcement.

You can download a concise, printable guide covering these points here:
Know Your Rights at the Door (PDF)

Learn More from Trusted Organizations

The following organizations provide comprehensive, up-to-date “Know Your Rights” resources, including situation-specific guidance and multilingual materials:

A Final Note

This page is about empowerment, not escalation. Rights only work if people know them—and use them calmly and consistently.

  • You don’t need to argue.
  • You don’t need to explain.
  • You don’t need to consent.

You just need to know where you stand.