When You Must Identify
La. C.Cr.P. art. 215.1 — an officer with reasonable suspicion may demand a name, address and an explanation
An officer may stop a person in a public place whom he reasonably suspects is committing, has committed or is about to commit an offense, and may demand the person's name, address and an explanation of his actions.
Refusing a name is resisting. Refusing, when lawfully arrested or detained, to give a name and make one's identity known to the officer, or giving false identity information, is obstruction under the resisting an officer statute.
- An officer who reasonably suspects danger may frisk the outer clothing for a dangerous weapon.
- A weapon found may be kept until the questioning ends, then returned if lawfully possessed.
- A detained driver who does not show a license on request, after the officer has exhausted other ways to confirm identity, is also obstructing.
The duty reaches the name, not every question the officer asks. A particular stop is a question for a licensed Louisiana attorney.
Sources for this section (2)
- La. C.Cr.P. art. 215.1 — Temporary questioning of persons in public places; frisk and search for weapons
- La. R.S. 14:108 — Resisting an officer
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Louisiana attorney.