California statute
Cal. Penal Code § 844
Current through 2025–2026 Regular Session (leginfo weekly dump, 2026-07-12)
Part of Chapter 5: Arrest, by Whom and How Made, California Penal Code.
Full text of Cal. Penal Code § 844
Statutory text current through the 2025–2026 Regular Session (leginfo weekly dump, 2026-07-12). This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of California.
To make an arrest, a private person, if the offense is a felony, and in all cases a peace officer, may break open the door or window of the house in which the person to be arrested is, or in which they have reasonable grounds for believing the person to be, after having demanded admittance and explained the purpose for which admittance is desired.
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