Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Texas

Today while on my way to home, I noticed two police officers had a vehicle pulled over. I pulled into a gas station and watched them. After they concluded I went on my way. I was then pulled over by an officer and he immediately asked for my license and registration. I asked him why he was pulling me over and he replied that I was a suspicious vehicle and wanted to know why I was watching his traffic stop. I told him I was not going to answer any questions and he again asked for my ID so I gave it to him. If I have it right, I should have kept asking him if I was being detained or if I was free to go until he answered my question rather than giving him my ID since he did not have reasonable suspicion that I was committing, about to commit or had committed a crime. My questions are did I have to show him my ID and what could I have done in order to not give him my ID?


Asked on 8/03/13, 1:29 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Cynthia Henley Cynthia Henley, Lawyer

If you did not show your ID and insurance, you would have been arrested. They do have the right to stop suspicious vehicles and if you stop to watch a traffic stop, that is pretty weird.

He does not have to answer you question, but you can file a complaint with internal affairs about his actions.

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Answered on 8/03/13, 3:51 pm


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