Giving a copy of a persons Drivers License to the News?

[legaljoe]

State: Texas

Hello, I was wondering, if you expect someone to be invovled in a major scam, and you were to have a copy of their license available, and were asked by a news agency to send that infomation over to them. They then air the license photo on their program talking about this alleged scam, would I be doing anythign illegal, breaking any laws? If so what could happen?

Joe

 

[Litigation!]

State: Texas

Hello, I was wondering, if you expect someone to be invovled in a major scam, and you were to have a copy of their license available, and were asked by a news agency to send that infomation over to them. They then air the license photo on their program talking about this alleged scam, would I be doing anythign illegal, breaking any laws? If so what could happen?

Joe

My response:

Nope. It's "public information".

IAAL

 

[legaljoe]

Are you 100% sure about this? I thought I saw something saying it was illegal to send or share any copy of a drivers license.

Am I incorrect? Do you have any links to websites stating this?

Thanks for your help, just want to be sure I am within my legal rights.

 

[Litigation!]

Are you 100% sure about this? I thought I saw something saying it was illegal to send or share any copy of a drivers license.

Am I incorrect? Do you have any links to websites stating this?

Thanks for your help, just want to be sure I am within my legal rights.

My response:

Contact either the DMV, or your local personal injury attorney. They'll tell you the same thing.

IAAL

 

[legaljoe]

Just wondering, does anyone else have a say on this, or can provide me with any links to resources? I tried contacting the DMV but they are closed due to the weekend.

Just want to hear some other lawyers advice on this matter

Thanks
Joe

 

[Happy Trails]

Just wondering, does anyone else have a say on this, or can provide me with any links to resources? I tried contacting the DMV but they are closed due to the weekend.

Just want to hear some other lawyers advice on this matter

Thanks
Joe

I am not a lawyer.

However, I believe the DMV will say that it is personal information.

http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode18/usc_sec_18_00002725----000-.html



<<Happy Trails braces herself, as she doesn't like getting her head gnawed off.>>

 

[stephenk]

how did you get the copy of the driver's license?

 

[ceara19]

Are you 100% sure about this? I thought I saw something saying it was illegal to send or share any copy of a drivers license.

Am I incorrect? Do you have any links to websites stating this?

Thanks for your help, just want to be sure I am within my legal rights.

It IS public information, but you are not going to find ANY media outlet that will air or publish it. If they did, the guy wouldn't have to worry about running scams again, because he would own a tv station. They don't just broadcast a person's photo or name just because some random stranger walks in off the streets and says he is a con artist. The information will have to come from law enforcement.

 

[Happy Trails]

I disagree that it is "public" information. If it were there wouldn't be consequences for releasing it.

http://www.epic.org/privacy/drivers/

http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode18/usc_sec_18_00002724----000-.html

 

[ceara19]

I disagree that it is "public" information. If it were there wouldn't be consequences for releasing it.

http://www.epic.org/privacy/drivers/

http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode18/usc_sec_18_00002724----000-.html

There are no consequences for RELEASING the photo. There are, however, for accusing the person of criminal activity without PROOF that they have potentially commited a crime.

 

[Happy Trails]

There are no consequences for RELEASING the photo. There are, however, for accusing the person of criminal activity without PROOF that they have potentially commited a crime.

According to the first link I posted, the picture is personal information.

I totally agree with you on the other issue.

 

[ceara19]

According to the first link I posted, the picture is personal information.

I totally agree with you on the other issue.

First off, that is Florida and this OP is in Texas. Secondly, it addresses the legality of the STATE being allowed to SELL the photo or any other information in the DMV database. It does not exclude the state or any other person or agency from sharing the information for purposes where there will be no monetary gain.

 

[Happy Trails]

First off, that is Florida and this OP is in Texas. Secondly, it addresses the legality of the STATE being allowed to SELL the photo or any other information in the DMV database. It does not exclude the state or any other person or agency from sharing the information for purposes where there will be no monetary gain.

Not that link, my first link.

http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/h...5----000-.html

 

[ceara19]

Not that link, my first link.

http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/h...5----000-.html

That still only excludes the STATES and STATE AGENCIES from releasing the information. It doesn't prohibit INDIVIDUALS from disclosing the information. However, no media outlet would ever broadcast information such as this given to them by an INDIVIDUAL, especially when the accusations are not PROVEN.

 

[ENASNI]

This Debate is fascinating

I am going to get some popcorn.