They dropped the charges of assault against Hiibel, which was the reason they stopped him in the first place. But they found him guilty on a misdemeaner and fined him $250 for refusing to comply with a law that says the police "may detain any person whom the officer encounters under circumstances which reasonably indicate that the person has committed, is committing or is about to commit a crime." And that "[a]ny person so detained shall identify himself, but may not be compelled to answer any other inquiry of any peace officer."

Given that the Fifth Amendment says you don't have to answer any questions, Hiibel didn't see why the question "what is your name" is any different. The Supreme Court ruled that the law was constitutional.