Chicago Criminal Lawyer Blog
Chicago is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own character and challenges. From Lakeview to Little Village, residents interact with law enforcement in countless ways every day. A common offense that often surprises people is being charged for giving false identity information to police. Illinois law under 720 ILCS 5/31-4.5, known as obstructing identification, makes it illegal for a person who has been lawfully detained to knowingly give false or fictitious information about their name, address, or date of birth to an officer.
This offense is not considered a minor oversight in Illinois. In fact, it is treated as a Class A misdemeanor, the highest level of misdemeanor in the state, carrying up to 364 days in the Cook County Jail and fines of up to $2,500. Certain circumstances can make the matter more serious. If the false identity causes another person to be charged with a crime or materially interferes with an investigation, the State may pursue felony charges.
Chicago prosecutors see this crime frequently, especially in cases linked to traffic stops, public intoxication, or street-level investigations. Because the city has such a dense population and active police presence, even a simple traffic violation in neighborhoods like Bronzeville or Albany Park can lead to an arrest for obstructing identification.
