Should Videotaping the Police Really Be a Crime?

[FredK]

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/nation/arti...#ixzz0vkwl354M

The legal argument prosecutors rely on in police video cases is thin. They say the audio aspect of the videos violates wiretap laws because, in some states, both parties to a conversation must consent to having a private conversation recorded. The hole in their argument is the word "private." A police officer arresting or questioning someone on a highway or street is not having a private conversation. He is engaging in a public act.


Even if these cases do not hold up in court, the police can do a lot of damage just by threatening to arrest and prosecute people. "We see a fair amount of intimidation — police saying, 'You can't do that. It's illegal,'" says Christopher Calabrese, a lawyer with the ACLU's Washington office. It discourages people from filming, he says, even when they have the right to film.

Interesting to be sure.

[Blue74]

I hope when they finish trying to run this guy through the ringer he has a lawyer that cleans them out and has the officer in a pickle. Trying to use your position to intimidate a civilian.

[Truckman]

Trying to use your position to intimidate a civilian.

AKA official oppression......Ben

[chew 'n' spit]

I have no problem with video, I have a HUGE problem with interpretation and depiction.............not to mention editing to get a thirty second "interesting" story................