Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 section 25 requires anyone who is either operating or in charge of a motor vehicle to comply with certain demands of police officers. Prosecutions under this law require proof beyond a reasonable doubt of the following elements:

1. That you were operating or were in charge of a motor vehicle;
2. That a police officer was either in uniform or had conspicuously displayed his badge on the outside of his clothing;
3. That you:
   1. refused to give your name and address to the officer upon request;
   2. refused to provide the name and address of the owner of the vehicle to the officer upon request;
   3. gave the officer a false name;
   4. refused to stop when signaled to do so by the officer;
   5. refused to produce your license and registration upon the request of the officer;
   6. refused to sign your name in the presence of the officer;
4. That you realized that the officer had made such a command and that you intentionally disobeyed that command.

If you have been charged with one of these offenses it is important to remember that this is a crime not a civil infraction. Even if you are not arrested you should contact a lawyer. You should be given a citation and might be summonsed to court to defend against these allegations. Many people go to court with charges like this and plead guilty not knowing that they just admitted to committing a crime. They assume that since the case can be "resolved" by payment of court costs or a fine that there are no consequences. That belief is often incorrect. Contact a lawyer immediately if you have any questions about the type of proceeding you are facing in court.

Penalty: $100 fine.