Can I ask, “Am I free to leave?”

Can I ask, “Am I free to leave?”

Short Answer: Yes.

Explanation: Asking whether you are free to leave is a clear way to determine whether the police interaction is consensual or a detention. If the officer says you are free to leave, you may calmly leave. If the officer says you are not free to leave, the encounter may be a detention that must be supported by reasonable suspicion.