Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Iowa

I have a few friends over, we are being loud but not overly noisy. The police came, knocked on the doors and didn't announce themselves. After a few minutes of knocking they finally announced themselves and we answered. They told my friends they need to leave. Do they have the right to do that? I live in Ames, IA. I'm assuming there is a difference with the locations.


Asked on 7/31/10, 12:23 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Thomas Moens Moens Law Offices, Chartered

Some important facts would be what time it was, how loud you were, the nature of the noise, who complained, etc. Did they have a "right" to tell your friends to leave? Probably not. But they certainly had the "right" to give you and/or your friends a citation, or perhaps arrest you, for disorderly conduct, nuisance, etc. The charges and penalties would depend on local ordinances, with which I am not familiar for your city, but most municipalities have plenty of "keep it quiet" ordinances on the books.

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Answered on 8/05/10, 6:50 am


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