As there's much of the old chatter here about these issues, I dug up the ACLU card that is recommended to be carried by all persons. Or read and understood.
Here's a Web version. A PDF version for efficient printing is also available:
<http://archive.aclu.org/issues/criminal/bustcardtext.html>
A couple of paragraphs relevant to the current discussion about whether being stopped for question is "arrest," whether ID is required to be carried, etc.:
--begin excerpt
2. You don't have to answer a police officer's questions, but you must show your driver's license and registration when stopped in a car. In other situations, you can't legally be arrested for refusing to identify yourself to a police officer.
3. You don't have to consent to any search of yourself, your car or your house. If you DO consent to a search, it can affect your rights later in court. If the police say they have a search warrant, ASK TO SEE IT.
4. Do not interfere with, or obstruct the police -- you can be arrested for it.
IF YOU ARE STOPPED FOR QUESTIONING
1. It's not a crime to refuse to answer questions, but refusing to answer can make the police suspicious about you. You can't be arrested merely for refusing to identify yourself on the street.
2. Police may "pat-down" your clothing if they suspect a concealed weapon. Don't physically resist, but make it clear that you don't consent to any further search.
3. Ask if you are under arrest. If you are, you have a right to know why.
--end excerpt--
--Tim May
"'I'm sorry that Tim is being a bother again. He has a long history of
being obnoxious and threatening. So far, he has not broken any laws. We have talked to the authorities about him on numerous occasions.
They have chosen to watch but not act. Please feel free to notify me
f he does anything that is beyond rude and actually violates any
laws and I will immediately inform the authorities.
Thank You Don Fredrickson
