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There have been numerous news stories of late about private citizens who have tried to or successfully filmed law enforcement officials in the performance of their duties. In most instances the people filming (or trying to) have been told that it is against the law and the filming must stop immediately or those doing the filming are subject to arrest. Apparently that ain't so!
Unfortunately very few citizens know the law sufficiently to be able to stand up to a law enforcement official and dispute the mandate to cease filming. We depend on the cops (or lawyers) to tell us what is and is not legal but in this instance we have been getting very bad and very wrong information. So America, film away!
Note that this is the opinion of the First Circuit Courts of Appeals, which means that it applies to Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. It does not apply to the rest of the country, although I imagine that the other courts may adopt the First Circuit's reasoning. Of course, if some circuits rule otherwise, that is when it may end up in the Supreme Court.
They are about to pass a law also, in the state of Connecticut that it will be legal to do so.
Considering how often people's civil rights are violated by many cops in our country, I think that's a good idea.
Your civil rights are this: The right to life, liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Of course, you cannot violate other laws to do so, but you do have Civil Rights in the United States.
I'm amazed that cops, which are supposed to be upholding the law, not breaking it, are often taught or think they are above the law and CAN violate folks civil rights!
They need to pass this law nation-wide, imho.
Did anyone read about the lady in Quartize, Arizona, Jennifer Jones, I think her name was.
She was speaking up at a public meeting at the town council and was hauled physically and abusively out of the meeting by a couple of police officers, who injured her shoulder doing so!
And she wasn't screaming or yelling or swearing at anyone in the town council meeting. She was merely complaining about the way the town was running things, which is ALSO a right of our constitutional rights in our country!
It is interesting that probably the greatest asset to the civil rights movement was the film footage of police treatment of protesters, such as spraying blacks with fire hoses. It is amazing that anyone, liberal or conservative, would want for police actions to be covered up. (Except for bad police, of course.)
A few months ago in Maryland, a motorcyclist filmed a police officer in plan clothes run up and point a gun at him. In this case, the cyclist was simply speeding, and it was obviously an embarrassment to the police.
After he posted the incident on U-Tube, the police charged him under a wiretapping law, and so far their prosecution has stuck. So basically they want to sentence this guy to several years in prison simply for making them look bad.
There should be special laws spelled out to protect this kind of free speech. I am glad to hear that in some cases they are doing that.
They are about to pass a law also, in the state of Connecticut that it will be legal to do so.
Considering how often people's civil rights are violated by many cops in our country, I think that's a good idea.
Your civil rights are this: The right to life, liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. Of course, you cannot violate other laws to do so, but you do have Civil Rights in the United States.
I'm amazed that cops, which are supposed to be upholding the law, not breaking it, are often taught or think they are above the law and CAN violate folks civil rights!
They need to pass this law nation-wide, imho.
Did anyone read about the lady in Quartize, Arizona, Jennifer Jones, I think her name was.
She was speaking up at a public meeting at the town council and was hauled physically and abusively out of the meeting by a couple of police officers, who injured her shoulder doing so!
And she wasn't screaming or yelling or swearing at anyone in the town council meeting. She was merely complaining about the way the town was running things, which is ALSO a right of our constitutional rights in our country!
Nice rant. Problem is, YOU nor just about anyone else, really even know what "their rights" are. TV isn't reality.
There have been numerous news stories of late about private citizens who have tried to or successfully filmed law enforcement officials in the performance of their duties. In most instances the people filming (or trying to) have been told that it is against the law and the filming must stop immediately or those doing the filming are subject to arrest. Apparently that ain't so!
Unfortunately very few citizens know the law sufficiently to be able to stand up to a law enforcement official and dispute the mandate to cease filming. We depend on the cops (or lawyers) to tell us what is and is not legal but in this instance we have been getting very bad and very wrong information. So America, film away!
While it may not be illegal, that doesnt mean that you wont be arrested for it, and then have to spend lots of money on lawyers to try and get the case dismissed or be acquitted.
From taking still photos at various protests etc. I know police don't want their picture taken and will give me that stern look and tell me to stop, although at arrests at the White House of protesters I never have been told to stop but they do give you that look
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