Should You Close a Stranger’s Open Car Door? Legal Expert Weighs In

A viewer recently posed an interesting question—while walking his dog early in the morning, he often sees cars with their doors left open. Should he close the door, alert the owner, or just keep walking? And are there any legal risks to stepping in?

Legal expert Walter Clark weighed in, clarifying that there’s no legal issue in closing an open car door. “It’s not trespassing, because no one told you to leave. It’s not theft, because there’s no criminal intent. And California’s Good Samaritan law protects you if you’re genuinely trying to help.”

But what if you accidentally lock someone’s keys inside? Clark says that’s a practical, not legal, issue. “Worst case scenario, they have to wake up their spouse for a spare key. That’s not a lawsuit waiting to happen,” he joked.

For those worried about safety, Clark suggests considering the neighborhood. “If you’re concerned about getting shot over this, you’re in the wrong neighborhood,” he said. He also reminded viewers that many homes have security cameras, so any well-intended action will likely be recorded. Other options include taking a photo, alerting authorities, or simply walking away.

In the end, being a good neighbor comes down to situational awareness. As Clark put it, “I’d be happy to walk that neighborhood with you and see if we can find some trouble.”

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