What to do if the cops come?

You don’t have to answer the door.

Whatever you do, do not open the door!

Poke around here.

Check this out. It has some really great advice. While you don’t have to answer the door, if they hear screaming, they could come up with an excuse to enter anyway. The site I linked points out that it is best to answer the door, step out, and shut the door behind you. By the time they have gotten to your door and knocked on it, they have already heard you. Suddenly shutting off the music and acting like no one is home is a dead give away that something is going on inside.

Just something to think about, the person who owns the place you are partying at could get in trouble for the underage drinking, so you might want to be sure to keep control of the party at all times so that no one calls the cops.

You probably shouldn’t be breaking the law.

If you’re going to break the law, don’t be surprised when the cops come. If they do come, you should open the door or you’ll make it worst on yourself. If they think there is something illegal going on, they have the justification for coming in whether you let them in voluntarily or not.

Some of the other answers are correct. here is something to think about. if there is a callback number to the complainant that made the original complaint to the police, you know this call is legitimate. no, you do not have to answer the door. i would not advise this. seeing many cars parked around your house, seeing empty beer cans and whiskey bottles on the outside can be probable cause for an officer to enter, without a warrant. especially, if the complainant stated they heard screams coming from your location. i have entered many houses this way. if you are caught, it’s best to open the door and co-operate with the police. some people may be arrested and that’s a chance you are taking in having a party with underage drinking, in the first place. right?

When I was underage, I drank many times. I dont recall anyone ever getting arrested unless they were unruly. But, I went to one of the largest colleges in the nation.

I am still alive.

You know, neighbors don’t call the cops for nothing. They have families and jobs and want to get some sleep. Maybe have some consideration for them, and no one will call the cops. Keep it indoors. Keep the windows closed. Put the AC on high.

Also manage the parking. Show people where they can park so they don’t bother the neighbors. Try to make sure everyone has a designated driver.

Listen. If you’re hosting the party, you really aren’t going to have that much fun. You’re going to be making sure everyone else has fun—safely. If you go off and get drunk, too, it’ll end up being chaos, and the cops will get called and the cars will get ticketed, and the drunk drivers will get arrested and whoever owns the house will be severely pissed and get medieval on your ass.

I agree with @tablack01. You shouldn’t have the party in the first place.

If you’re planing to do something that you know is illegal, you should know, and be prepared to face, the consequences of your actions.

That being said, don’t let them in and don’t let whoever is going to be talking to them be inebriated.

My brain just came to a complete stand-still.