Michael Jerome Jennings v. Christopher Smith, Justin Gable, Jeremy Brooks, and the City of Childersburg (Certified…

Summary

The Alabama Supreme Court answered a certified question, holding that Ala. Code § 15‑5‑30 does not prohibit a law‑enforcement officer from demanding or requesting physical identification when a suspect gives an incomplete or unsatisfactory oral response. The Court reasoned that the plain‑text language of the statute, together with Terry‑stop principles and Hiibel, permits such a demand, and that the request is consistent with the Fourth Amendment. The decision resolves the certified question and does not alter the underlying litigation.