I am 15. I walked out of a bottle shop the other day and was stopped by police. They asked me for my name and address and asked to check my bag. I gave them the information they asked for and let them search my bag as I had only purchased a bottle of non-alcoholic ginger beer. Afterwards I wondered if I had the right to refuse to answer their questions or allow them to search me.
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Answer by Shamaila Khan, Kingsville 3012 VIC
- Generally the police cannot ask you for your name and address without giving you a reason nor can they search your body or property without your consent.
- There are exceptions to this rule. If police reasonably suspect you have committed or are about to commit a crime they can demand your name and address and search your vehicle or search you without a warrant.
- In your particular circumstance as an underage person walking out of a bottle shop the police might reasonably have assumed that you had just illegally purchased alcohol.
- In this instance they may well have been within their rights to demand your details and search you even if you had not co-operated.