In Alaska, police can stop a person walking or a person in a car only if they have strong reasons to think there is an immediate danger or serious recent harm. Police can also stop a car if they see a traffic violation, like speeding or running a red light. If you are stopped, stay calm, keep your hands where the officer can see them, and follow simple instructions. You have the right to ask if you are free to go, and you do not have to answer other questions beyond saying your name unless you want to. You can politely say, “I don’t want to answer questions” and “I don’t agree to any searches,” and then stay calm and respectful.

You must give the police your real name and ID if they ask.  Giving the police a false name or identifying information is a crime.  You don’t have to answer any other questions. That means you don’t have to answer if the police ask questions like “Where are you kids coming from tonight?” or “Do you know anyone around here?”  You don’t have to volunteer any information.  You can ask “Am I free to go?”  If they say you are free to go, then you can leave.

In Alaska, you have strong rights if the police stop you. The police can only stop you if they have a good reason, like a real danger or a serious crime. You have the right to stay silent and do not have to answer questions that might get you in trouble. If you are taken into custody and questioned, you have the right to a lawyer and the right to have the interview recorded. Even if the stop is legal, the officer’s questions and use of your ID must be related to the reason they stopped you.

You can find more information on your rights if you have been stopped by the police on the ACLU of Alaska Website.

Most likely, yes.  Alaska police officers almost always carry voice recorders in the chest pockets of their uniforms, so your conversation with them is most likely being recorded.  They do this to make a record of what you say and what they say, so there is evidence if someone says this questioning happened differently.  That means that anything you say to the police (even before they read you your rights) will be recorded, and if you end up going to court, the prosecutors can play it, and ask the jury to consider it to find you guilty of a crime.  Because anything you say to a police officer may be eventually played for your lawyer, your parents, a judge, or a jury, you should keep it respectful.