Identification to police in MA
No true & steadfast answer to that question, depends on the situation and circumstance, the below kind of sums it up in general terms.
[QUOTE][url]https://www.malawforum.com/content/when-must-one-identify-themselves-police[/yrl]
Giving identification to police in MA
As a general starting point, if you are sitting on a bench, minding your own business, there is no obligation to answer questions or show identification to the police.
When driving a car, if you are pulled over by the police you are required to produce a license and registration. However, in Massachusetts, pedestrians, or those operating motor vehicles who have already produced the required documentation, are not required to answer questions posed by the police. In other words, you can assert your constitutional right to remain silent. Unlike other states, Massachusetts does not have a "stop and identify" law (a law that allows police to arrest a person, who they reasonably believe is involved in criminal activity, for refusing to identify themselves).
Of course, the police CAN arrest you if they have probable cause to believe you committed a felony or if they witness your commission of certain misdemeanors. Depending on the situation, and in order to avoid possible cases of mistaken identification, sometimes it's simply easier to identify yourself to the police and then ask if you are free to go. If the officer says you’re free to go, leave immediately. If you are not allowed to go, that is the time to assert your right to remain silent. Nobody ever talks their way out of arrest, they usually just dig a deeper hole. With that in mind, instead of trying to talk your way out of a crime, it is usually better to contact a Massachusetts criminal defense attorney ASAP after your arrest.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=ThatGuy23;3758514]Wait, so, if a cop pulls you over, or stops you on the street or in a public (or private) building, you don't have to show a license?[/QUOTE]