if you lie to a law enforcement officer during an investigation and they find out then you have commited a violation of law, either local or federal.
Originally Posted by shooter6.5
I'd be cautious making broad statements like that regarding federal law and the unique laws in each of the 50 states.
In Texas, "[a] person commits an offense if, with intent to deceive, he knowingly makes a false statement that is
material to a criminal investigation and makes the statement to:
(1) a peace officer or federal special investigator conducting the investigation; or
(2) any employee of a law enforcement agency that is authorized by the agency to conduct the investigation and that the actor knows is conducting the investigation."
Texas Penal Code sec. 37.08(a) (emphasis added).
A "material" statement is one that "could have affected the course or outcome of the official proceeding."
Texas Penal Code sec. 37.04(a).
In other words, you don't have to tell a cop the truth about EVERYTHING. If you ignore me and insist on speaking, lie about something irrelevant. Say you have faith Tony Romo will make it through the season without getting injured again.
That said you are required to identify yourself and show proof of your ID. NOTHING MORE>
Originally Posted by shooter6.5
In Texas, you only have to identify yourself if you're ARRESTED, and you only have to show your driver's license to a cop if you're driving, which few do while in an AMP. "A person commits an offense if he intentionally refuses to give his name, residence address, or date of birth to a peace officer who has lawfully
arrested the person and requested the information." See:
Texas Penal Code sec. 38.02(a) (emphasis added).
So if John Law asks you, "Friend, what's your name?," you ask, "Am I under arrest?," Mr. Law replies, "No," then your retort is obvious: "Well, then, officer, I'm Spartacus."