The question often comes  up about  whether or not a person is required to produce identification when  requested by a police  officer after a  traffic stop. The answer to the question depends on whether or not the stop of you car  was legal. If the stop of your car was not supported by a reasonable suspicion of criminal activity, the officer has no legal basis to request that you produce identification, since the stop was illegal. If the stop of your car  was supported by a reasonable suspicion of criminal activity, such as a minor traffic offense, then the officer has a legal basis to request that you produce your identification.

The officer is granted  legal authority to request your identification after a lawful stop  by Minnesota Statute Section 169.02, subd 2. Under this  statute, it is a misdemeanor offense to willfully fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order of a police officer who has authority to direct, control, or regulate traffic.

So the next time you are stopped by a police officer, the Best Defense is to cooperate and produce your identification. Why risk a possible arrest and  criminal charge for a misdemeanor offense?