Alabama Supreme Court Rules Police Can Demand ID During Stops

Ruling in case of Black pastor arrested for watering neighbor's flowers, court says officers can require identification if unsatisfied with verbal responses.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 2:18am

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The Alabama Supreme Court has issued a 6-3 decision stating that police can demand to see a person's identification during a stop if they are dissatisfied with the person's verbal answers, even if the person has not done anything wrong. The ruling came in the case of a Black pastor who was arrested in 2022 while watering his neighbor's flowers after refusing to show identification to officers.

Why it matters

This decision is seen as a significant expansion of government power over individuals, as it allows police to demand identification based solely on an officer's subjective assessment of a person's verbal responses, even if the person has committed no crime. Civil liberties advocates argue this ruling could lead to increased racial profiling and unnecessary confrontations between police and citizens.

The details

In May 2022, Michael Jennings, a Black pastor, was questioned by Childersburg police officers while watering his neighbor's flowers. Another neighbor had called 911 reporting an unfamiliar car and 'young Black male' in the yard. Jennings identified himself as the neighbor's pastor and said he was caring for the yard, but refused to show identification when officers demanded it. He was then arrested for obstructing a government operation, though the charge was later dismissed.

  • In May 2022, the incident with Michael Jennings occurred.
  • In 2026, the Alabama Supreme Court issued its 6-3 ruling on the case.

The players

Michael Jennings

A Black pastor who was arrested in 2022 while watering his neighbor's flowers after refusing to show identification to police.

Alabama Supreme Court

The state's highest court that issued the 6-3 ruling stating police can demand identification if unsatisfied with a person's verbal responses.

Childersburg Police

The police department whose officers arrested Michael Jennings in 2022 for refusing to show identification.

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What they’re saying

“The significance now for Alabamians is if an officer's not satisfied with whatever answer you give, I sure hope you've got your driver's license or passport on you.”

— Matthew Cavedon, Director of the Cato Institute's Project on Criminal Justice

What’s next

The federal lawsuit filed by Michael Jennings against the city and police officers involved in his arrest is still ongoing, and the implications of the Alabama Supreme Court's ruling will likely be a key focus of that case.

The takeaway

This ruling raises serious concerns about the potential for increased racial profiling and erosion of civil liberties, as it gives police broad discretion to demand identification from individuals who have committed no crime simply based on an officer's subjective assessment of their verbal responses.