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Illinois Compiled Statutes

720 ILCS 5/31-4.5 (2026)

Obstructing identification

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(720 ILCS 5/31-4.5)
    Sec. 31-4.5. Obstructing identification.
    (a) A person commits the offense of obstructing identification when he or she intentionally or knowingly furnishes a false or fictitious name, residence address, or date of birth to a peace officer who has:
        (1) lawfully arrested the person;
        (2) lawfully detained the person; or
        (3) requested the information from a person that the
    
peace officer has good cause to believe is a witness to a criminal offense.
    (b) Sentence. Obstructing identification is a Class A misdemeanor.
(Source: P.A. 96-335, eff. 1-1-10.)

    
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 19 cases (8 in the last 5 years), 2012–2025 · leading case: People v. Baskerville, 963 N.E.2d 898 (Ill. 2012).
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People v. Baskerville, 963 N.E.2d 898 (Ill. 2012). “" ¶ 28 That conclusion again relies on a faulty premise. Under the offense of obstructing justice physical acts, including destroying, altering, concealing or disguising physical evidence, or concealing oneself are also specifically enumerated as obstructive conduct.”
People v. Fields, 2014 IL App (1st) 130209. “See 720 ILCS 5/31-4.5 (West 2010) (a person commits the Class A misdemeanor offense of obstructing identification when he intentionally or knowingly furnishes a false or fictitious name, residence address, or date of birth to a peace officer who has lawfully arrested or detained…”
People v. Serrato-Zavala, 2024 IL App (2d) 240255, 251 N.E.3d 1006. “§ 6-303(a-3)), a Class 4 felony, and obstructing identification (720 ILCS 5/31-4.5(a) (West 2022)), a Class A misdemeanor.”
People v. Espino-Juarez, 2018 IL App (2d) 150966, 98 N.E.3d 600. · cites it 4× “" 720 ILCS 5/31-4.5(a) (West 2012). ¶ 10 Although the complaint did not specify under which subsection defendant was charged, the trial court found that only subsection (a)(3) applied.”
People v. Schronski, 2014 IL App (3d) 120574. · cites it 2× “720 ILCS 5/31-4.5 (West 2010). ¶ 21 In the case sub judice, defendant argues that the State’s case-in-chief was insufficient for a reasonable person to conclude her guilt and, therefore, the court should have granted her motion for a directed verdict.”
People v. Schronski, 2014 IL App (3d) 120574, 15 N.E.3d 506. · cites it 2× “720 ILCS 5/31-4.5 (West 2010). ¶ 21 In the case sub judice, defendant argues that the State's case-in-chief was insufficient for a reasonable person to conclude her guilt and, therefore, the court should have granted her motion for a directed verdict.”
In re Q.P., 2014 IL App (3d) 140436, 20 N.E.3d 516. “, 720 ILCS 5/31-4.5 (West 2012) ("A person commits the offense of obstructing identification when he or she intentionally or knowingly furnishes a false or fictitious name *** to a peace officer who has[] *** lawfully arrested the person.”
In re Q.P., 2014 IL App (3d) 140436. “, 720 ILCS 5/31-4.5 (West 2012) (“A person commits the offense of obstructing identification when he or she intentionally or knowingly furnishes a false or fictitious name *** to a peace officer who has[ ] *** lawfully arrested the person.”
People v. Cano, 2020 IL App (1st) 182100-U. “See 720 ILCS 5/31-4.5(a)(2) (West 2012) (“A person commits the offense of obstructing identification when he or she intentionally or knowingly furnishes a false or fictitious name, residence address, or date of birth to a peace officer who has *** lawfully detained the person”).”
People v. Feliciano, No. 2-20-0421U (Ill. App. Ct. 2d Dist. Mar. 1, 2023). · cites it 2× “5 of the Criminal Code of 2012 (Criminal Code) (720 ILCS 5/31-4.5 (West 2016)). Defendant’s posttrial motion raised no issue concerning his obstructing identification conviction.”
People v. Thomas, 2021 IL App (4th) 190280-U. · cites it 2× “See 720 ILCS 5/31-4.5(a) (West 2018). ¶ 36 Ritter testified he observed a van driven by a man wearing a tasseled cylindrical fez who was not wearing a seat belt.”
Fuentes, No. 1:25-cv-00837 (N.D. Ill. Nov. 12, 2025). · cites it 2× “15(c)) and obstruction of identification (720 ILCS 5/31-4.5). The unlawful possession charge was dropped via nolle prosequi, and the obstruction of identification charge was dismissed.”
Show all 19 citing cases →
720 ILCS 5/31-4.5(a): 9 cases
People v. Serrato-Zavala, 2024 IL App (2d) 240255, 251 N.E.3d 1006. “§ 6-303(a-3)), a Class 4 felony, and obstructing identification (720 ILCS 5/31-4.5(a) (West 2022)), a Class A misdemeanor.”
People v. Espino-Juarez, 2018 IL App (2d) 150966, 98 N.E.3d 600. “" 720 ILCS 5/31-4.5(a) (West 2012). ¶ 10 Although the complaint did not specify under which subsection defendant was charged, the trial court found that only subsection (a)(3) applied.”
People v. Thomas, 2021 IL App (4th) 190280-U. “See 720 ILCS 5/31-4.5(a) (West 2018). ¶ 36 Ritter testified he observed a van driven by a man wearing a tasseled cylindrical fez who was not wearing a seat belt.”
People v. Feliciano, No. 2-20-0421U (Ill. App. Ct. 2d Dist. Mar. 1, 2023). “5 of the Criminal Code of 2012 (Criminal Code) (720 ILCS 5/31-4.5 (West 2016)). Defendant’s posttrial motion raised no issue concerning his obstructing identification conviction.”
People v. Mendoza, 2024 IL App (3d) 220363-U.
720 ILCS 5/31-4.5(a)(2): 3 cases
People v. Schronski, 2014 IL App (3d) 120574. “720 ILCS 5/31-4.5 (West 2010). ¶ 21 In the case sub judice, defendant argues that the State’s case-in-chief was insufficient for a reasonable person to conclude her guilt and, therefore, the court should have granted her motion for a directed verdict.”
People v. Schronski, 2014 IL App (3d) 120574, 15 N.E.3d 506. “720 ILCS 5/31-4.5 (West 2010). ¶ 21 In the case sub judice, defendant argues that the State's case-in-chief was insufficient for a reasonable person to conclude her guilt and, therefore, the court should have granted her motion for a directed verdict.”
People v. Cano, 2020 IL App (1st) 182100-U. “See 720 ILCS 5/31-4.5(a)(2) (West 2012) (“A person commits the offense of obstructing identification when he or she intentionally or knowingly furnishes a false or fictitious name, residence address, or date of birth to a peace officer who has *** lawfully detained the person”).”
720 ILCS 5/31-4.5(a)(3): 1 case
People v. Espino-Juarez, 2018 IL App (2d) 150966, 98 N.E.3d 600. “" 720 ILCS 5/31-4.5(a) (West 2012). ¶ 10 Although the complaint did not specify under which subsection defendant was charged, the trial court found that only subsection (a)(3) applied.”
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