I'm sure some of the state residents will be along shortly with a discussion of state laws (which, too often, the LEOs don't know).
Jakeus314 said:
He and a 30 yr ex cop insisted that I would be hauled off and charged.
My question would have been: Charged for what, exactly? For what crime would they have arrested you? (Disorderly conduct? GATTTOTP? Contempt of cop?)
And how many OCers across the state have suffered a similar fate? (Followed up by: how many of those departments managed
not to lose the subsequent civil rights suits?)
Especially if I didn't offer identification when requested.
If you're not carrying any, you can't be forced to provide it...
though they could insist on having your name, I don't see what good it would do.
They can't prove a negative - can't prove that you're not a felon, not prohibited, not a criminal - esp. just by knowing your name.
What that is is a fishing expedition, trying to find something they can charge you with.
Hope you have good law-abiding officers, the kind who won't invent "facts".