just answerIf cops ask "Have you ever been arrested before" does the person have to answer by law? Or would it just piss?

piss the cop off?

I've just noticed on tv they always ask people if they've ever been arrested before and wondered if they have to answer or not?I Mean I understand if they ask if they're on probation/parole, its just...is it really necessary?

If they dont have to by law, what would be a good response for the person being/detained/arrested?
I plea the 5th
You have the right to remain silent.
Well I was asked was I arrested before when I was getting arrested Lol ohh the Irony. but remember legally you do have the right to remain silent and anything you say can and will be used against you.but if you tell them you've never been arrested they'll just give you a background check.
You do not have to say anything until you have a lawyer present and ejust answerven then yor lawyer can advise you not to answer certain questions.

You also do not have to accompany cops to a police station unless they have pressed charges against you and you have been informed of those charges.

But if you've done nothing wrong there's no point in making yourself look guilty by being difficult.
"Name, rank and serial number" in the military, to conform to the Geneva Conventions.

Civilian rule: your true name and address. On parole? You do what they tell you, answer what they ask you, or your parole is violated and you do the time, starting the day of the hearing to revoke your parole.

You do not have to give the police any other information. However, by being "uncooperative", they are going to trejust answerat you like an armed fugitive until proven otherwise. It is very unpleasant to have an angry or suspicious person pointing a loaded weapon at you for any reason.
you have the right to remain silent, you have the right to an attorney.....

That's if they are questioning you as a suspect in a crime or questioning you after you have been arrested.

You don't have to answer any questions a police officer asks you except for identifying yourself and giving your residential address. yes, it could piss them off, but you also have the right to not criminally indict yourself.
yes you can refuse top talk, yes the police can and will detain you until information about you is given by any method.
Now what ?