During a consensual encounter, can a citizen leave at any time?

During a consensual encounter, the citizen has the right to leave at any time because these encounters do not involve coercion or detention by law enforcement. In a consensual encounter, interactions with police are voluntary; individuals can choose to engage with officers or decide to walk away freely without any legal consequences. This principle is rooted in the understanding that consent implies the ability to withdraw that consent at any point.

The fundamental aspect of a consensual encounter is that it must be characterized by the absence of any coercive tactics. If the police do not convey that the individual is being detained or restricted, the citizen retains their autonomy to leave whenever they choose. Therefore, the idea that a citizen can leave at any time captures the essence of personal freedom during voluntary interactions with law enforcement.