Gulfport, MS asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for Mississippi

Q: Does Mississippi Code Title 97, Crimes § 97-35-7 cover a situation where someone refuses to identify to law enforcement?

Does mississippi have a "failure to identify" law or would this be covered under statute 97-35-7 where the failure to identify is a crime in and of itself thank you for your time

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered

A: You’re right to look into how Mississippi handles refusal to identify yourself to law enforcement. Under Mississippi Code Title 97, Crimes § 97-35-7, it is a misdemeanor if someone refuses to provide identification when a law enforcement officer lawfully requests it. This statute makes it clear that failing to identify yourself in such situations is against the law.

Mississippi does have a "failure to identify" law, and § 97-35-7 specifically covers this scenario. If an officer has the authority to ask for your ID and you decline, you could face legal consequences under this statute. It's important to comply with lawful requests to avoid potential charges.

If you find yourself unsure about your obligations or rights in these situations, it might be helpful to consult with a legal professional. They can provide guidance tailored to your specific circumstances and ensure you understand how the law applies to you.

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.