Again, as specified elsewhere, I am responding to the parent's original suggestion to ask if one is under arrest, and the question of how I anticipate the situa

Again, as specified elsewhere, I am responding to the parent's original suggestion to ask if one is under arrest, and the question of how I anticipate the situation getting out of hand. Needlessly complicated? I suppose that's a matter of interpretation when you're on the receiving end of a power imbalance and are wanting to both go on your way and assert and protect your rights. Yes, the shorter path is to ask if one is free to leave, and then respond accordingly. And yet still, it is not incomprehensible that an officer might respond with something more complex than a simple "No" when asked if you are free to leave. Say, something along the lines of, "Yes, as soon as you answer a couple questions." This is much closer to a "no", but still legally debatable (especially within the context of this decision) whether or not you are in a situation in which you may rightfully assert your rights.