If I am walking down a sidewalk, and the police start asking me questions, do I need to answer?

CGIV76

If the Police are conducting a crime investigation in the area, they have the right to question anyone they feel may have information regarding the crime they are investigating.
If the Officer is questioning you because you fit the description of a suspect wanted for a crime, they do have the right to ask you for your id, and to ask you where you were walking from and to.
If you refuse, the officer can take you into custody pending investigation, and bring you to the Police Station where he or the detectives investigating the crime can either question you further, check your ID or if there are victims at the station, ask them if they can Identify you. (usually done through a photo line up)

Steven C

Yes you should. If you fit the description of the person they are looking for then they could try and charge you with obstruction and haul you into jail and make an identification on you. That could take hours, so why not just answer if you have nothing to hide?

Barabas

Yes you do.

its called stop and frisk even if they do not touch you and they have that authority.

A Justified Stop

A stop is justified if the suspect is exhibiting any combination of the following behaviors:

Appears not to fit the time or place.
Matches the description on a "Wanted" flyer.
Acts strangely, or is emotional, angry, fearful, or intoxicated.
Loitering, or looking for something.
Running away or engaging in furtive movements.
Present in a crime scene area.
Present in a high-crime area (not sufficient by itself or with loitering).

mailman

you could take the fifth amendment and not speak, but then it would make you look or appear suspicious and they could take you into the station. If you don't have anything to hide, why not just answer and avoid the possibility of going to the station?

swat

its best to just answer it because if you don't then it might be suspicious ( you also might fit the description for some1 with a warrant out on them)

(p.s. answer there question unless its really ridiculous)

tallerfella

If you've done nothing wrong, why not take the two minutes to answer the questions and go on your way? Not answering could get you tossed in jail.............

psdiver

It is in your best interest that you do give the information requested. There could have been a BOLO out for somebody matching your description and if you don't want to have the rest of your evening walk rudely interupted it is best to answer. If you haven't done anything wrong you have nothing to worry about.

Roz

You have no idea why the cop stopped you.
Do you know he may have been trying to protect you? 9p.m.? How old are you?
There could have been some serious stuff going down in he neighborhood and he didn't want you caught in the middle.
The best thing to do when an officer asks you a question is to be polite, don't pull your matcho stuff, they don't like matcho unless you can back matcho up.ANSWER the questions. You might be glad you did.

ahsoasho2u2

No you can keep quiet and not say anything?
Under the Homeland security act, you have to be able to prove who you are?
If you have nothing to hide, why are we so negative about being asked who you are?
I always liked to know who was canvasing the neighborhood at night especially after 9PM.
Usually working 6-2am or 8 to 4am, do not get to see many ppl in neighborhood, like who lives where?
Look at both sides of the picture. Who are you?

K.C.

hi,

yes , you have to answer his Questions. the officer maybe is looking for some one . or just watching the area to keep it safe. this should make you feel safe that he is keeping an eye .
if you dont answer, he might take you down town for identefing reasons .

always your best answer

answer

Go the the ACLU's website (American Civil Liberties Union). They have lots of information about what you are legally required to do in a situation like that, and what rights you have to not answer questions. However, it's then up to you to decide how you want to respond in a given situation.

monsoon

According to the law, you are arrested as soon as you are engaged with a police officer (arrested/come to a rest). Continuing to walk away could mean you are resisting arrest and avoiding the law. Stop drop and roll ;)

gtamayo1

yes but there is no way they can charge you for obstruction. just failure to cooperate but they can't do much. They can keep you down at the station for 24 hours though. But just to rule you out if they were looking for someone whos description you fit. say youplead the fifth andbe quiet but it will be an inconvenience for you. and your walk will really be ruined.

Sonny B

Im not sure it probably depends on where you live. But you are an american citizen. This is not a police state. I think you have the right to carry-on unimpeded unless the police have a reasonable cause to question you. Thats what i think and im not sure.

Mr. Goodhi

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