If you wear a police uniform on Halloween, can you be arrested for impersonating a police officer?
Get Legal Help Today
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
If you wear a police uniform on Halloween, can you be arrested for impersonating a police officer?
My brother-in-law has a very convincing police uniform he plans to where out and to some costume contests. It looks indistinguishable from the real thing and has the real MA State Police patches on the arms of the jacket. He has plastic gun that looks real enough in the holster and flashlight, handcuffs, etc. Is he in danger of getting arrested for impersonating an officer? He thinks not and says as long as he never claims to be or acts like police officer.
Asked on October 28, 2010 under Criminal Law, Massachusetts
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 14 years ago | Contributor
No, he will not be arrested for impersonating a police officer. In order for that to happen he would have to have intent to impersonate an officer, even if his costume was absolutely perfect in every way. His explanation is right on the mark: as long as he never claims to be or acts like a police officer he is fine. I would, though, consider re-thinking the plastic gun, especially if it looks real. I would be concerned that someone may think it was real, even on Halloween. You do not want to make anyone trigger happy. Maybe a multi-colored cheap looking plastic one? Better to be safe than sorry. Have fun. Good luck.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Answer(s) provided above are for general information only. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. Laws may vary from state to state, and sometimes change. Tiny variations in the facts, or a fact not set forth in a question, often can change a legal outcome or an attorney's conclusion. Although AttorneyPages.com has verified the attorney was admitted to practice law in at least one jurisdiction, he or she may not be authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Unlike the information in the Answer(s) above, upon which you should NOT rely, for personal advice you can rely upon we suggest you retain an attorney to represent you.