The New America: Federal (ICE) Agents Boarding Trains?

[Jedi Guy]

71. Side note: generally police can't legally demand your identification on a random encounter.

They must have reasonable suspicion (i.e., probable cause). Unfortunately, probable cause is wildly subjective and can be something as simple as, "the person looked nervous as we approached". It's a very low bar.

It's worth noting that some states do have stop and identify laws, so it's important to know the laws of the jurisdiction in question.

As a practical matter, my advice would be to hand over one's ID and not answer any questions beyond that. Even if the police aren't within their rights to demand it, refusing to do so won't make the encounter end any faster. Even if one fully believes the police are in the wrong, litigate the matter after the fact in court, not on the side of the road.

I'm not a lawyer either, but I worked with LEOs for a number of years.