Talking to the Police When You're Not in Custody

Learn about your rights when you're not in custody and the police ask something of you.

More Legal Topics

Police Questioning of Suspects: The Miranda Rule
Questioning By the Police
When Police Violate the Miranda Rule
Search and Seizure Laws
Search Warrants
Searches After an Arrest
Agreeing to a Police Search
Seizing Items "In Plain View"
Police Searches on the Street: Stop & Frisk
Car Searches by Police
Roadblocks and Sobriety Checkpoints

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Encounters with police officers on the street often result in requests for information or identification. Learn about your rights when you're not in custody and the police ask something of you.

How to Respond to Requests for Information or Identification

Stopping and Questioning People on the Street
Must I answer questions? Can I walk away?

Demanding Identification from People on the Street
"Stop & identify" laws may enable police to demand identification. Using loitering laws for the same result is less certain.