Is it legal for police to stop you on the street for no reason and ask for ID?
395949
Boy...tough crowd in here.  Wrong in some cases, too.\n\nYou've got two questions here, so that's how I'll address them.\n\n1.  Is it legal for the police to stop you on the street (in your car, at your home, in the bar, etc.) for no reason?\n\nThe police cannot stop you for no reason.  However, it's entirely possible you don't know what the reason was, or you weren't really "stopped" as the law considers it...the word "stop" has a very significant legal meaning and what you might think of as being stopped by the police might not be seen that way under the law.  Consensual contacts between the police and citizens take place day and night, 24x7, and are approved of by the courts all the time.    \n\n2.  Can the police ask you for ID?\n\nYes.  And in some cases, they can ask you to stand on your head.  If the police are *asking*, then you are free to comply or refuse, as you see fit.  California no longer has a law requiring you to carry identification at all times (and hasn't for close to twenty years) so it would surprise me to find another state that does.\n\nI can just about guarantee you a better answer if you provide the state you're in and the circumstances that bring about this question.
766090
Yes, resoundingly YES!  Not that I think it should be like a "witch hunt," but when they pull people over for any kind of traffic infractions, I think they should ALWAYS ask for proof of citizenship or legal residency, legal drivers' license, and proper insurance.  If, in the course of their duties, they find illegal immigrants, they should hold them and call INS for deportation.  This should be STANDARD procedure for ALL police in the USA.
1159262
It depends if they asked you questions.\n\nI believe it is illegal for the police to ask you questions about the arrest before they read you the rights. If they did ask you questions before reading your rights and you answered them .. then those statements would be thrown out in court.\n\nIt's called your Miranda Rights.
696903
The same questions they ask me.  Drivers license and proof of insurance.  If I don't have that, it's get out of the car.....I'm toted off to jail and my car impounded till I can provide the documents that are necessary.  I've had them shine a light in my car and hold my art eraser till it was determined it wasn't contraband.  I got some deal on my ticket for disrespecting an officer because I busted out laughing while he was sniffing my eraser.  I've had my car searched for no other reason than an outed tail light.  I've randomly had to be subjected to sobriety tests and a pat down.  Been in a car in which we were pulled over because the police thought the driver "looked funny".  We agreed, but the police officer didn't think it was funny.  I have been pulled over as a youth and had my parents called to see if they knew where I was.  I have been repeatedly pulled over time and time again by a cop because I drove a van that was considered the "type of vehicle" a drug trafficer would drive.  I've been pulled over because they wanted to be sure I wasn't being abducted since the passenger was a black person.  I've also turned a corner without putting on a turn signal and been let go.  I've had police officers help me when I was stranded on the side of the road without a question asked.\n\nI'd like to know when you aren't required to have your license on you when you are driving a vehicle!  I thought that was a basic rule#1.
720779
Actually when I worked for the police dept, it was against police policy to give a "jump" from the police car.  It can seriously damage the electronics in the police car ( 1000's of dollars worth)\n\nAn officer giving a jump to someone could be wrote up, given a day off without pay or more.\n\nThe police officer will call you a tow truck, or other road service,  they will often call someone else that you want called.
92107
A bench warrant will be issued for your arrest. While the PD won't actively pursue it, getting pulled over for a traffic violation becomes a major problem. So go do it - not because of the arrest factor but because it's your duty as a US citizen. We're entitled to a trial by a jury of our peers. You wouldn't want your peers skipping out if god forbid, you were on trial!
983926
It is illegal for the stores personal to search you without you agreeing to it, you should have exercised your rights and refused the search and let them call a police officer and let him search you and after he was through and didn't find anything on you then I would have sued them for wrongfully detaining me, for assuming without facts or evidence, for public embarrassment and harassment, based on your nationality, maybe even prejudice and discrimination, yeah there's a law suit that can be brought up, or they can settle out of court.
7265
no. the police can not force you to take a blood test.
22524
depending on where you are from..I am sure laws change from place to place..I would suggest speaking to a lawyer..most will allow you an hour of their time to sit and talk..for free...but the police cannot continue to pull you over or stop you for no reason..4 times for me ..I went to the police station..told them one more time and there would be police harrasment charges laid...it ended there..good luck to ya..gotta hate the cops on power trips
1180927
Turn up in person at a Police Station..be prepared to give a good reason for asking
967554
Yes but you need a license thats registered with the police and be able to prove you have a good reason to own one.
596526
They can ask for your license at any time even if they spot you walking down the sidewalk doing nothing wrong.  In some states, you can demand an on site blood test.  Some states have been caught using modified breathalyzers so that they always show you are drunk.  That is why you need to ask for a blood test if stopped.
684757
The poster above me almost has it right. The police CAN pull you over if they know you don't have a driver's license or it is suspended. They have to have personal knowledge to the fact, such as they have stopped you before or have checked it in the system. They need no other reason after that. It is a misdemeanor to drive without one or with a suspended one.
1046669
Nope-the police have to submit the information to a court. The court issues a warrant. The person is arrested.
941123
With your fingers crossed that the police don't come knocking on your door too soon.\n\nIt's illegal so not recommended.\n\n///
1117077
In the UK, the police do not need a warrant to arrest you for any criminal offense if they have reasonable grounds  for believing you committed it or may be about to do so. The time of night and where the arrest takes place are totally immaterial as far as the law is concerned.\n\nThe police may need a search warrant to search your property, but this does not affect their right to arrest you.
846704
Maybe the police officer new the other people that were there. It sounds like you just moved there, so maybe he asked you for your ID because he had never had contact with you before. Maybe you are just a smart a.. and that's why he asked you for your ID. There are a lot of reasons that police officers do the things they do, and they don't have anything to do with corruption, racism or anything like that.