What are my rights and responsibilities if the police approach me and ask me questions?
 
Suppose you are outside your home or in a public place when the police arrive and begin asking questions. Law enforcement officers have a duty to protect the community they serve, its citizens, and their property. The law gives police certain powers to help them perform that duty. 

Police have the power to approach persons and ask them questions. Simply because you are approached and questioned by the police does not mean you are suspected of having committed a crime. All citizens are encouraged to cooperate with the police so those who break the law can be brought to justice, but, with one exception, discussed below, you have no legal duty to answer any question, and you may refuse to answer. This is called the right to of silence. You should never lie to a law enforcement officer, however.  If you do, you can get into trouble for “obstructing official business.”

According to Ohio law since April 2006, if you are in a public place and under certain circumstances, you must give your name, address, and date of birth to an officer. If you fail to provide this information under such circumstances, you will be committing a fourth-degree misdemeanor and may be arrested.

Based upon "Your Rights if Questioned, Stopped or Arrested by the Police" © February 2015 Ohio State Bar Association
Ohio State Bar Association, PO Box 16562, Columbus, OH  43216-6562, (800) 282-6556 or (614) 487-2050, www.ohiobar.org