Walk It Through: Asked for a Name on the Sidewalk
A stop near a reported break in, a demand for a name and an explanation, and a hand on the outside of a jacket.
An officer stops a person walking near a reported break in and asks for a name, address, date of birth and what the person is doing.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
A stop on the sidewalk that does not end in an arrest. What follows an arrest, questioning in custody and a search of belongings are on other pages.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- Class B misdemeanorThe middle misdemeanor class, punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000; a first DUI, assault and most traffic misdemeanors sit here.
- Failure to disclose identityRefusing, during a lawful stop, to give a name or date of birth that an officer demands for a reason related to the stop, where answering would not risk self incrimination.