Legality of videotaping the police in NY.

[freeman dyson]

Does anyone know if it is legal to videotape police officers in their public duties? I know there are many controversial cases on this but I was wondering what the law in NY is. If I see a cop driving recklessly, can I video tape it? Can I tape a conversation a police officer has with me? CanI tape the whole traffic stop? thanks.

 

[HighwayMan]

What do you mean "there are many controversial cases on this"? Cite one of them.

You can video tape anything you want in a public place. There is no restriction on video taping the police unless by doing so you interfere with them.

 

[freeman dyson]

What do you mean "there are many controversial cases on this"? Cite one of them.

You can video tape anything you want in a public place. There is no restriction on video taping the police unless by doing so you interfere with them.

But what about the audiio?

informationliberation - Man Faces 7 Year Sentence Under "Wiretapping Law" For Filming Police

http://www.citmedialaw.org/teen-arrested-videotaping-police

 

[CdwJava]

Those are arrests, not convictions.

There are a host of reasons why actually taping the police is not going to likely result in a conviction unless, as previously stated, you interfere with them.

No one LIKES being taped, even officers, but there really is nothing that can be done about it.

 

[freeman dyson]

I got the question answered here.

Is it legal to videotape police officers on duty in New York State? New York Business

but i never asked about the audio. they say videotape is ok but I dont know if that includes audio.

 

[dave33]

It would be interesting to know exactly what statute or law those citizens are charged with violating. I t would also be interesting to see how the arresting officer interpret that law. But, I have done no research on the issue, just wondering. Also, merry x-mas.

 

[CdwJava]

I strongly suspect that the arresting officers were making the arrest because they were pissed, and I cannot imagine that any privacy issues (the foundational reason behind the audio recording laws) exist during a law enforcement contact. After all, if the police can record you surreptitiously, why can't the person being contacted.

While there may still be some states where this has not been tested all the way up the legal ladder, I suspect it is only a matter of time.

 

[HighwayMan]

The fact that there is audio should make no difference.