Originally Posted by
studentff
IANAL or even an expert, but my understanding is that there is no requirement in any (civilian) jurisdiction in the USA to carry any sort of identification papers unless you are engaging in an activity that requires a license (driving, hunting, fishing, piloting a plane, etc.).
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(There are stories of LEOs getting upset about people declining to produce ID and using that to justify a pat-down where they extract your wallet and the enclosed ID. Also stories of declining to produce ID when you are carrying it leading to arrests and charges for "obstruction."
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But we're not there yet. However, it seems a lot of people (government and civilian) think such requirements already exist.
And a majority of LEOs - browse forums.officer.com if you think I'm overstating it. "See some ID" has been their standard opening gambit for decades, but a time-established convention should not be construed as a
de facto law. They count on few people knowing Terry, Hiibel or any of the other cases cited above.