In at least three states, it is now illegal to record any on-duty police officer.

[grahamhgreen]

"In response to a flood of Facebook and YouTube videos that depict police abuse, a new trend in law enforcement is gaining popularity. In at least three states, it is now illegal to record any on-duty police officer.

Even if the encounter involves you and may be necessary to your defense, and even if the recording is on a public street where no expectation of privacy exists.

The legal justification for arresting the "shooter" rests on existing wiretapping or eavesdropping laws, with statutes against obstructing law enforcement sometimes cited. Illinois, Massachusetts, and Maryland are among the 12 states in which all parties must consent for a recording to be legal unless, as with TV news crews, it is obvious to all that recording is underway. Since the police do not consent, the camera-wielder can be arrested. Most all-party-consent states also include an exception for recording in public places where "no expectation of privacy exists" (Illinois does not) but in practice this exception is not being recognized."
http://gizmodo.com/5553765/are-cameras-the-new-guns


Well if anyone doubted they live in a police state, here is one more nail in the coffin of our previously free society.

Now, recording abusive police behaviour is a crime in some states.

Unreal.

[Jamastiene]

1. Try to avoid cops at all possible costs.

That is my motto.

[Demeter]

2. That's Total Bullshit

If the cop can film you at a traffic light, you can certainly film him beating the shit out of someone.

[madmax]

3. My first thought exactly! k&r nt

[gateley]

4. I'd post it on YouTube anonymously. nt

[izquierdista]

5. Going to have to arrest a lot of buildings

and freeway overpasses, parking garages, ATMs, liquor stores, mini-marts, let's see, where else do they have automated surveillance set up where a cop might wander into the frame?

But go to it copper! Slap the cuffs on that elevator and haul him down to the klink.

[hlthe2b]

6. Too bad I don't have more faith in our USSC...

One would think this would be a civil rights "no brainer".... but until "fat scalia", worthless thomas", "Kill 'em Kennedy", "arrogant Alito," and "Devil-eyed Roberts" leave the court, I wouldn't bet on a Federal overturn.

[SocialistLez]

10. I lost faith in them when I read "The New Jim Crow." Very disheartening. NT

[Tesha]

7. This is the sort of law that will be over-turned the moment someone is willing to bring it to trial.

It's crafted merely to intimidate us.

Don't let it intimidate *YOU*.

And remember to call your local ACLU affiliate.

Tesha

[Jumping John]

8. Here is a video of a Texas DPS officer who is apparently ignorant of the law

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPYW_8ehD1Y

[grahamhgreen]

11. Thanks!

[ieoeja]

9. Same way they banned guns in Chicago.

During the civil rights battle, a group of African-American activists began policing the police. They armed themselves and began tailing police cars to stop them abusing their fellow citizens. In response, the city banned all firearms** (except for the cops, of course) in the city.

We let them get away with that. It is hardly a surprise they would go after this now. It is the next logical step.

[Fumesucker]

12. I guess that makes security cameras illegal then..

Since a security camera has a high degree of probability of eventually recording an on duty police officer.

[grahamhgreen]

14. I don't know how they are going to get around this. Will every ATM be committing a felony?

But in the meantime it's pretty scary - if you film a policeman abusing someone on duty - YOU are the felon!

[Kievan Rus]

13. Agreed. I don't even make eye contact with them.

[Echo In Light]

15. "In response to a flood of Facebook and YouTube videos that depict police abuse..."