The First U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has issued a decision stating that videotaping law enforcement officers is a First Amendment right. The case was brought by a lawyer, Simon Glik, after he was arrested for videotaping on-duty police officers. The arrest was based on a Massachusetts law prohibiting aiding the escape of a criminal, or causing a disturbance to the peace. Although the criminal case against him was dropped, Glik filed a civil suit, alleging violations of his constitutional rights.
Ever since Rodney King’s beating was captured on camera, creating outrage in the community, police have sought to restrict citizens’ rights to document police abuse using video technology.
Many states have laws that allow police to arrest bystanders who record police conduct, usually under eavesdropping or wiretapping laws. This year has seen a huge increase in incidents of police misconduct as well as arrests of those who record these incidents. Recording cops is not a crime, it is self-defense!
