Q: Police stops you. Your rights?
Stops You and asks for your ID. Your rights?
A:
If a police officer in Georgia stops you and asks for your ID, it's important to understand your rights in this situation. Firstly, in many cases, you are required to provide your ID if the officer has a reasonable suspicion that you're involved in criminal activity. This is particularly true if you're driving, as you're required to have a valid driver's license.
However, if you're not driving and there's no reasonable suspicion of criminal activity, you generally aren't required to provide your ID. It's crucial to remain calm and polite during the interaction. You can ask the officer if you are free to leave; if they say yes, you may do so peacefully.
Remember, you have the right to remain silent. If you choose to exercise this right, clearly state that you wish to do so. Be aware that any statements you make can be used against you.
If the situation escalates or if you feel your rights are being violated, you have the right to request a lawyer. It's advisable to do this calmly and without confrontation. Keeping these points in mind can help navigate a police stop more effectively.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
