Can you videotape police in florida

So what does this mean? Cops have a statute to point to upon which to justify a felony arrest. What do I advise? That makes it very difficult to even find a top notched attorney to pursue the case.

Additionally, it will cost the plaintiff a lot of money to pursue that argument. Please do not include any confidential or sensitive information in a contact form, text message, or voicemail. So, what are the laws on videotaping law enforcement in Florida?

Recording anyone using any type of device in Florida is known as wiretapping. Under Florida law, before recording someone, you must obtain their consent. Fortunately, the law specifically states that this does not apply to police officers.

So, while you can openly videotape an officer, you do not need their express permission to do so. It is important to understand what is considered an unlawful arrest in Florida when filming a police officer.

You should never secretly record a police officer, but instead do it openly and in a manner that lets them know they are being recorded. May, however, disagreed. While she agreed that Ford was within her rights to record police, she said the officers had sufficient evidence to charge her with obstruction of justice.

If Boynton Beach doesn't appeal the ruling, Alexander said the case will be sent back to circuit court. Facebook Twitter Email. Remain calm and non-threatening. If you are a bystander, stay at a distance where you won't be interfering with their work. However, you should always be respectful when dealing with the police.

They perform a dangerous job, and they often need to make snap decisions about possible threats. Tell them you are exercising your First Amendment Right to video record them. Let them know that if they think you are a threat, to tell you immediately so you can change any perceived behavior that makes them nervous, short of not exercising your right to record them.

While video voyeurism is a crime under Florida statute Illegal recordings include secretly recording someone in places where they would expect to be private, such as in a bedroom, changing room, hotel room, or bathroom. It is not uncommon for Florida residents to install video recording equipment outside their home to monitor suspicious behavior. This is completely legal as long as no rules regarding video voyeurism are violated. It is recommended that cameras be installed so that they are visible and pointed to an area where people don't expect privacy.

Employers are allowed to video their employees in the workplace as long as it is for legitimate reasons, such as theft prevention. Video voyeurism laws also apply, so employers must be careful not to put cameras in a place where staff could reasonably expect privacy. And, of course, putting video cameras in the bathrooms is a hard no. While the images in your video are protected by the First Amendment, the audio is a murkier area. Due to the wiretapping statute in Florida, they may try to cite you for the audio portion of your video and may try to take your device.

If this happens, stay calm and do not resist.