Legal Question in Administrative Law in California
In California, if a cop asks for your address and name, is it illegal to not give it, given not being arrested.
Asked on 2/27/13, 10:55 pm
2 Answers from Attorneys
Jacob Kiani
Law Office of Jacob I. Kiani
You should give the cop your name
Answered on 2/28/13, 1:14 am
Bryan Whipple
Bryan R. R. Whipple, Attorney at Law
A police officer can ask for your identifying information IF the cop has some official reason to need that information, such as investigation of a nearby crime, even if it is just jaywalking or loitering. However, a cop can't lawfully ask every pedestrian on Main Street for his or her name and address just because of the badge and blue uniform. There must be a valid need for the information, reasonably related to the cop's law-enforcement duties.
Answered on 2/28/13, 7:56 am
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