If I’m 17 years old and walking down the street after curfew, can a cop legally stop and ask for my ID?
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If I’m 17 years old and walking down the street after curfew, can a cop legally stop and ask for my ID?
And if so, do I have to present it to him?
Asked on August 15, 2012 under Criminal Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
Andrew Goldberg
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Yes, Cops have the right to legally stop you and ask you for your ID. To detain yyou ( either by a formal arrest or under circumstances where you objectively had no right tl leave ), the Cop must have a reasonable suspicion that you are engaged in criminal activity. If you were out past curfew and are young looking, that may equate to reasonble suspicion that you were out past the curfew ( i.e., in violation of the Ordinance or Law establishing the curfew ).
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