Getting Stopped
ORC 2921.29 — Stop and Identify
Ohio only requires you to hand over your name, address, and date of birth, and only once an officer has reasonable suspicion you are committing, have committed, or are about to commit a crime. A casual conversation on the sidewalk does not trigger this. A lawful stop does.
You are not required to answer anything past those three details.
- Refusing the three basics once suspicion is real can get you charged with a misdemeanor, up to 30 days and a small fine for adults.
- You can also be required to identify yourself if you witnessed certain serious felonies, not just when you are the suspect.
- Verbal ID is enough.
“Am I being detained, or am I free to go.”
Sources for this section (6)
- ORC 2921.29 — Failure to disclose one's personal information
- Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1 (1968) — Investigative stops require reasonable suspicion
- U.S. Const. amend. V — Rights in criminal cases, self incrimination
- ORC 2929.24 — Definite jail terms for misdemeanors
- ORC 2929.28 — Financial sanctions for misdemeanors
- U.S. Const. amend. IV — Searches and seizures
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Talk to a licensed Ohio attorney about your situation.