Can police require ID of everyone in the car if you get pulled over for speeding?

Question

I've heard of some police officers asking for the IDs of all people riding in a vehicle if the driver is pulled over for speeding or other minor traffic infractions. Is this legal? Can they really do this or are they overstepping their jurisdiction? And if a police officer did this to me while I was riding in a car and s/he has no other probable cause, can he force me to give him my identification if I am not driving?

This happens in Illinois. I don't live there anymore, but I used to and some acquaintances of my fiance had this happen. I was just wondering if it's legal or not.

Did not mean to offend anyone...I was just curious. I respect the law and it's officers, but I also think they should respect my rights. I have nothing to hide, but I have a right to be protected from unlawful searches and seizures.

Answer 1

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Answer 2

Yes we can. For our safety, we need to know if anyone in the car has a warrant or in the system. I have pulled someone over before and ran the passenger in the back seat. That person had a felony warrant and was considered armed and dangerous for assaulting a police officer. I am very glad that I ran them and found that out. God knows what they would have done if I didn't do that.

There is no such thing as a "routine" traffic stop. Nor is there any law that says we cannot check the ID's and 29's of anyone in the vehicle/house/area.

Answer 3

I'm not exactly sure what the law is in every state, but I'm assuming that they can. They can pull up to a kid walking down the street and ask for ID so why would a car be different?
I think, for simplicity sake, just give them your ID. If you've done nothing wrong, how will this hurt you? Its not an invasion of privacy; the cop is simply trying to hunt down those who have warrants or other such things.
You have to ask yourself: Would you rather the cop be an *** and get your ID card when he may not have a right to it OR do you want him to possibly let some criminal go because it may not be his right? I would rather turn over my ID everytime and know he may get some child molestor or murdered.

Answer 4

Ok, we all need a crash course in law here. Just because terms are on tv does not mean you know how to use them.

YES, any police officer can and will request every person's driver's license in a car that is being pulled over. First, they do it for their safety, if you are a wanted armed fugitive, they need to know. Second, they want to make sure no one has outstanding warrants. There is NO NO need for probable cause in this situation. Yes he or she can force you to give your identification and why wouldn't you, not like you have anything to hide, or do you? Help the police out and if you are not doing anything wrong, you should not question such an action.

Answer 5

Good job Deputy. And I agree with you too. Yes we can ask for ID from every occupant in the vehicle.

I pulled over a vehicle that matched the description of one that was seen during multiple armed robberies in the surrounding area, but I pulled them over for a minor traffic infraction. If I had not have gotten the passenger's information, he would not be in jail right now. The driver and passenger were later convicted of about 4-6 armed robberies of convenience stores. One of them left their fingerprints at the scene, and the other his DNA. Without having those names, we would not have had any suspects to compare the evidence with.

Answer 6

Generally there is no law in the world stating that a person must produce ID!!

However, an ID or any form of document that is similar to an ID, is the best way to verify your true identity.

I believe it is a wrong practise for a good reason. Guess you do not want to be mistaken for any criminal or offender and get into unnecessary trouble.

Answer 7

They sure can and should! For their own protection. What you people fail to realize is that their lives every day at every traffic stop or every call is in danger and if asking for ID or searching a car pisses you off, who cares. If it could save the officers life or make them feel more comfortable in an uncomfortable situation I say GO FOR IT. What do you have to hide anyway?

Answer 8

A police officer can ask you for ID even if your are walking down the street with out probable cause. The police officer should know who they're dealing with on a traffic stop or any other type of reasoning they may have stopped you; it's for their own safety and others around them to know they're not dealing with a psycho killer who is wanted.

Answer 9

Mickysco's answer is right on. We can ask for it, without cause, but unless I have a reason to identify you (ie. not wearing your seatbelt), then you don't have to provide it. I can force you to remain in the car for my safety, but I cannot force you to give me ID. If I only have a reason to stop and identify the driver, then he/she is the only one that is required by law to provide ID.

However; if I ask you for it, and you refuse, you take the chance of causing me to find a reason to require you to provide ID. If you don't have anything to hide, give me your ID. They will run you for warrants and be done with it. And this doesn't fall into the category of search and seizure. Your warrant status isn't protected by the constitution, and neither is your ID.

Lastly, there are people here giving you advice, and they want you to think they are cops. Just because their avatar looks like a cop, doesn't mean they are. Always research the answer you get yourself, because you can't tell the next cop, that yahoo said it's ok if I don't give you my ID.

Answer 10

Yes, Police can check on all passengers in the vehicle. Asking for IDs is to verify your particulars, this is a way Police to conduct check on any suspicious characters.