Do I have to show a cop my ID when asked?

Question

I live four blocks away from my job, so I walk to work. This morning, I was on my daily walk path when I get stopped by a cop. I wasn't driving, just walking. He asks me where I work, what time do I start, who's my boss.

I answered all of his questions with a slightly raised tone of voice because he had no reason to stop me because I wasn't doing anything wrong. I felt like I had the right to tell him to **** off and not show him my ID, but since I'm no criminal lawyer, I have no idea what my right is on this matter so I complied with his requests.

I'm wondering if I have the right to refuse giving a cop my ID next time. I don't think it's any of his business to know where I live, birth date, or anything like that since I wasn't driving.

Thank you.

Answer 1

The Police have the same rights as you.  We may talk to anyone we want and ask them questions.  There is nothing wrong with that.  Depending on the circumstances surrounding this encounter you may or may not be required to stop and talk.  If you are being detained then you need to cooperate by identifying yourself (you don't have to answer all questions but the sooner you show your identification the sooner you can go on with your day).  You can even ask if you are free to leave if you want.  

If you're not being detained then you can simply tell the Officer you are in a hurry to get to work and continue on your marry way.  Raising voice and being rude is not necessary and will only escalate the situation.  Just deal with the situation.  You are not entitled by any law or right to not be talked to by a Law Enforcement Officer.

Some states also have laws that require you to provide identification.

Answer 2

You are your own being and can do what you want.  I would show the ID

Answer 3

not at all,you can wait until you get down town and show it to the jailer,or the juvenile hall officer. it's your choice.

Answer 4

The officer needs probable cause to stop and detain you. If he has that and you refuse to identify yourself you can be arrested. You won't necessarily be charged with anything but you will be arrested.

  Depending on what state you live in the officer can hold you for as little as two hours or as much as 24 hours without charging you with anything.

  Let's say there is a rash of purse snatches or other crime in a particular area and the suspect has been described as 5-10 170 Lbs and wears a gray hoodie all the time.

  If you are walking in that area and matching that description the officer has probable cause to stop you. If you cooperate and hand over I.D. and can prove you have a reason to be in that area, he'll run a warrant check on you and release you. That's citizens responsibility to assist the police in their endeavors to make your community safer.

  If you know you're not the guy they're looking for how about making the most out of it and have a pleasant conversation with the officer. If you're a nice guy he may hurry things a long to get you back on your way. Ask stupid questions and display an attitude and be prepared for a long delay.

  People passing by hearing you ask why are you stopping me etc etc why do I have show my ID, you look and sound like maybe they have the right guy. If passers by hear you and the officer having a pleasant conversation they'll think maybe the cop knows you or your a nice guy for co-operating.

  Haggling with the cop is a no win situation. Co-operate and be pleasant. If the officer has the attitude make a complaint.

Answer 5

I know you mentioned walking to work this morning. If it was 4:30 am on a dark wooded patch where someone or anyone had been attacked recently, then I think the Police has probable cause to look into this.

If you dont like the police, it is possible that you are making some overatures that signal your dislike of them. That also draws a little attention from the Police. If you were naked at any time of day, they would stop you. Maybe it was something as simple as a new officer in this beat and he was checking out everything. If you are a juvenile and it is during curfew, he has probable cause to stop.

Do what you want but I feel some dislike vibes anyhow along with just a hint of hatred. Life can be easy and nice but many people do not want it that way.

Answer 6

An officer of the law can ask anyone to show ID, there may have been some trouble in that area you were walking in & perhaps they were just checking people out to make sure they were not just checking out places to rob, if you were doing nothing wrong, what's the big deal, they have a right to ask anyone for ID whether in a car or walking.  He may have had a very good reason for asking for your ID, don't take it too personal.

Answer 7

Yes you do.  If you give him a hard time be prepared to pay the price for your arrogance.  Trust me he has better things to do with his time than to waste it on people like you.  Grow up, this advice is coming from a former cop.

Answer 8

If the officer has probable cause to detain you he may ask for and obtain ID from you.

Generally police officers are allowed to demand identification and pat a person down if they have a reasonable suspicion (RS) or probable cause (PC) that a crime has or is about to occur. The stop is called a Terry Stop, this is from a famous case, Terry vs Ohio.

Now refusal can cause arrest, supported by Nevada vs. Hibel.

The question you need to ask is, "Am I free to go?" if the answer is yes, politely tell him/her your late and you need to move on. If the answer is no, ask why.

By finding the answer you can point out if there was criminal activity you may be a unknowing witness and could help the officer.  Also if you are not the badguy you can exclude yourself quickly and s/he can go about finding the real culprit.

Either way you are upholding your rights if there is no PC to stop and/or assisting if there was PC to stop.

Be polite, attitude is like a two edge sword, it cuts both ways

Answer 9

no don't refuse when  an Officer ask you for some ID probably there was a report of a suspicious person or a crime committed in your area.  If you would have refused you would have been charged for Failure to Identify to a Peace Officer.

Answer 10

Just because you didn't do anything wrong doesn't mean the officer doesn't have a legal right to stop and ID you. He may have had information about something illegal that had happened and was investigating to make sure you did not have any involvement.  People that are guilty of crimes don't carry signs. Officers need to talk to people and find out that they are legitimate.