by law, no person has to show cops an ID proving citizenship.
BUT if a cop asks you for ID period you must provide it. That is also the law.
Now, this is a bit off topic
nope, THAT is not the law. You are not REQUIRED to provide ID to a cop that walks up to you and asks for it, period.... He can haul you in, if he has probable cause that you committed a crime, but simply not providing ID, does NOT break the law.
Street check rules
Starting January 2017, the police must tell you why they want your ID. They must also tell you that you can refuse:
- to give them your name and date of birth
The police must have a good reason to ask for your ID. They are not allowed to ask for your ID:
- because you are in a high-crime area
- because you refused to answer a question or walked away
- to meet a target for how many IDs they want to collect
If you decide not to give the police your ID or tell them who you are, they can't stop you from leaving.