# I refused to identify myself to the cops and was subsequently arrested. Was I wrong?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-refused-to-identify-myself-to-the-cops-and-was-subsequently-arrested-was-i-wrong/406332>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [June 1, 2007, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-refused-to-identify-myself-to-the-cops-and-was-subsequently-arrested-was-i-wrong/406332 "2007-06-01T13:04:05Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 8

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**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\
**Post date:** [June 12, 2007, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-refused-to-identify-myself-to-the-cops-and-was-subsequently-arrested-was-i-wrong/406332/141 "2007-06-12T17:08:04Z")

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[QUOTE=Reply]  
And to **Cartooniverse** and the rest of you: I’ll let ya know what happens after the court date. When it gets to the judge, I’ll probably tell him the (simplified) truth: I was stupid and I made a mistake, but I also don’t want a misdemeanor on my record if it can be helped. The court can decide for itself whether the knife is a violation. If the judge asks for the whole story, I’ll tell it, but I probably wouldn’t volunteer it otherwise. This whole thing is my own damned fault anyway.  
[/QUOTE]

I can’t say that I know how things are done in your local court. I don’t. But in my court you would have a great chance of getting through this with no criminal charges. You may be able to get through this with just a municipal ordinance violation. Don’t think you necessarily have to even talk to the judge. Go there with the attitude you have now and talk to the officer and/or the prosecutor. You may be able to reach a conclusion you can be happy with long before you talk to a judge.

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**Author:** ![Rico](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rico/32/3582_2.png) [@Rico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rico)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2007, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-refused-to-identify-myself-to-the-cops-and-was-subsequently-arrested-was-i-wrong/406332/143 "2007-10-12T12:34:24Z")

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[QUOTE=ReplyTheSecond]  
I’m using a new username because I can’t access my old account.  
[/QUOTE]

\<mod\>

Unfortunately, that’s not allowed here, Reply.

Please contact Tubadiva at [tubadiva@aol.com](mailto:tubadiva@aol.com) to get your old account reactivated.

\</mod\>

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**Author:** ![kdeus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b487fb/32.png) [@kdeus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kdeus)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2007, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-refused-to-identify-myself-to-the-cops-and-was-subsequently-arrested-was-i-wrong/406332/144 "2007-10-13T05:56:33Z")

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Whoops.

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**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2007, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-refused-to-identify-myself-to-the-cops-and-was-subsequently-arrested-was-i-wrong/406332/145 "2007-10-13T06:39:00Z")

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[QUOTE=kdeus]  
Whoops.  
[/QUOTE]

On that note, it might not be a bad idea to shut this one down.

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