You say "your" property.  Is this a house you own?  Or a house you rent, or an apartment building?

 

The cops looked over your back wall, but how did they get in?  Is the yard fully fenced/enclosed?

 

Trespassing signage isn't generally required to establish trespassing if there are other obvious indicia of private property - such as a fence or wall.  If this is LA residential, I am thinking it is pretty hard to claim that the cops didn't know it was private property they were on.

 

On the other hand, California has specific statutes for criminal trespassing (not all states do) - see California Penal Code 602 - and signage plays a role in the enforcement of this statute.  But that is criminal trespass, and I don't think you are looking to press criminal charges against the cops.  Civil trespass is a different matter.

 

Assuming that the property is obviously private, and assuming that the officers were not granted permission to enter by the owner of the property (you or whoever), then they were trespassing unless they qualify as "licensees."  A licensee is somebody who has a legal right to enter the property.  Meter readers, for instance, as licensees, as are police officers serving a warrant - but that license extends only to the property where the warrant will be served.

 

But in general, police are granted broad rights of license over property.  They can obviously pursue, and in many other instances can also enter private property without permission.  I suspect that some research would reveal a significant body of law in California specifically on the licensee rights of police officers.  I have not done that research, and have no idea what the specific rules are.  My guess, however, is that these guys were not trespassing.

 

But - as fun as it is to discuss the law of trespassing, it isn't necessarily that relevant to your question here.

 

Trespass gives rise to its own claim - you can take action against a trespasser simply for trespassing.  I am thinking that here you are more concerned about the damage to your property and the loss of a pet.  Both of those were the result of simple negligence, which gives rise to claims for damages all by itself.  If somebody comes into your yard and damages your fence, you can sue them regardless of whether they are trespassers, licensees, or invitees.

 

Now, the problem here is that these were on-duty police officers, which makes them agents of the state (or town/county, whatever), which means that you would be suing the state.  And, in general, you cannot sue the government - sovereign immunity and all that.  The various governments have enacted laws that allow them to get sued for some things some times, and this may or may not fall within the permitted claims.  Hard to say.  But suing a governmental entity is not for the meek under any circumstance.

 

The good news, however, is that there is generally an administrative procedure for this type of thing.  Cops cause a lot of incidental damage to things, and the PDs are usually pretty good about paying for damage.  Not sure about the dog, but pretty good chance they will cover the fence.

 

So call the PD, and explain the situation in as much detail as possible.  Take pictures right away, and if you are feeling particularly anal, interview some witnesses and record/write down statements.

 

Most likely, the PD will want you to fill out some forms, and then you will get money in a few months.  Probably less than you wanted, but money none-the-less.

 

If that doesn't work, then it is time for citizen letters.  Start writing the PD, copying everybody in existence:  Newspapers, watchdog groups, the mayor's office, your state rep, your congressman, etc...  Keep writing letters every two weeks until you get action, and keep careful records of everything that does or does not happen.

 

You could, of course, also call a lawyer, but this is too small for a contingent fee arrangement, and you don't want to spend the money for hourly fees.

 

But you should be able to resolve this yourself to a reasonable conclusion.  It will be a PITA, but might also be an interesting learning experience.

 

 

 

EDIT - just saw the latest post with property update.  Modify my response accordingly.

True.  But even if they got the right house I think the Police, city or whatever municipality should pay damages.  I don't believe a warrant is a license to destroy/damage property with impunity.

 

Or pissed off that they broke your fence/ puppy got loose?

 

In regards to the dog, a joke comes to mind:

 

OLD JOKE wrote: ] A rattlesnake bites Johnny on his John Henry.                   “Don’t panic,” says Johnny’s camping pal, “My trusty medical manual’ll tell us what to do.”   (The manual prescribes cutting an X on the snake bite, then sucking out the venom.)   The befuddled pal keeps re-reading the advice to himself. “What’s it say?” asks Johnny, panicking. “Says you’re going to die.”

 

Haha

 

http://tippmann.com/forum/wwf77a/forum_posts.asp?TID=180629&KW=my+career - http://tippmann.com/forum/wwf77a/forum_posts.asp?TID=180629&KW=my+career

 

Thanks for the myspace bulletin reb

 

Holy cow that's scary.

 

Is this Maricopa county?

 

Myspace bulletins?

P.S. Haven't you ever noticed, I never get into cop vs. * arguments. It's not worth it, anything you say will never change someones opinion. So I don't even bother.

 

Mmmm bacon.

I don't believe the warrant gives officers specific authority to use your property.  Perhaps law enforcement have some kind of limited power of emminent domain which allows them to access private property while in the performance of their duties.  I don't know.  Perhaps you can call Sam.  I think the phone call is free...

I don't.  They're quite tasty when prepared correctly.  Especially on top of pizza!   Mmmmmmmm...  Pepperoni and Italian Saucage....  /drool

Is she hot?

 

You know, back in 1939, hitler supported gun control.

 

Tr00f, ham sucks. 

 

Your logic is flawed. Quite obviously, LACK of art kills!