Barnes v. State of Indiana Summary (Criminal Defenses Unlawful Police Entry)

“In the case of BARNES vs. STATE OF INDIANA, the Indiana Supreme Court on May 12, 2011, held there is no right to unreasonably resist an unlawful entry by law enforcement officers. The Court argued public policy favors rejecting the fundamental and three hundred years of precedent English common-law right to be safe and secure in our residence and to reasonably resist the unlawful entry of police officers. In part, the Court based its ruling on the fact allowing one to resist law enforcement unlawful entry unnecessarily escalates the level of violence and harm and, therefore, the risk of injuries to all parties involved.”