When You Must Identify
18 Pa.C.S. 4914 — false identity after being told of an investigation
In Pennsylvania, giving law enforcement false information about one's identity is an offense after an officer in uniform, or who has identified as an officer, has told the person that the person is the subject of an official investigation of a violation of law. It is a misdemeanor of the third degree.
| The situation | What the statutes ask for |
|---|---|
| The situationA driver reasonably believed to have broken the Vehicle Code | What the statutes ask forRegistration card, driver's license and insurance information on request, and a written name if required |
| The situationA pedestrian or cyclist reasonably believed to have broken the Vehicle Code | What the statutes ask forOther means of identification on request, and a written name if required |
| The situationAnyone told they are the subject of an official investigation | What the statutes ask forNo false information about identity |
Resisting arrest is a misdemeanor of the second degree where the person, intending to prevent a lawful arrest or another duty, creates a substantial risk of bodily injury to the officer or anyone else, or uses means that justify or require substantial force to overcome.
A misdemeanor of the third degree is punishable by up to one year and a fine of up to $2,500; a misdemeanor of the second degree by up to two years and up to $5,000.
Sources for this section (5)
- 18 Pa.C.S. 4914 — False identification to law enforcement authorities
- 75 Pa.C.S. 6308 — Investigation by police officers
- 18 Pa.C.S. 5104 — Resisting arrest or other law enforcement
- 18 Pa.C.S. 1104 — Sentence of imprisonment for misdemeanors
- 18 Pa.C.S. 1101 — Fines
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Pennsylvania attorney.