After all, it is public.
2007-05-02 16:00:58 · 29 answers · asked by ? 6 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Polls & Surveys
From a legal perspective, "public" doesn't always MEAN "public."
Most courts around the US agree that a person in a public restroom has a reasonable expectation of privacy in the non-common areas, like closed stalls. Some states have laws that explicitly prohibit recording or electronic surveillance in restrooms, and others have consistently interpreted their less-specific laws in this way. Even the police are usually prohibited from observing, entering, or recording the non-common areas of public restrooms without reasonable cause or a search warrant.
However, the "public" part of public restroom implies a lower expectation of privacy than you would have in a private residence. For example, unlike your home, you cannot lock yourself in a public restroom indefinitely - at some point you are expected to come out so that others may use it.
There is less agreement on the expectation of privacy in the common areas of a public restroom. I wasn't able to turn anything up on audio recording, though - most of these cases are more concerned with video recording for the obvious reasons. The laws and their interpretations vary from state to state and even city to city. But in general, I think you stand a high chance of getting arrested if you are caught recording conversations in a public restroom.
Plus, it's just not a nice thing to do.
2007-05-02 16:42:16 · answer #1 · answered by Schlemeil 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, it is an invasion of privacy, much like you cannot video record anyone in a washroom, either public or not, unless you are CIA or FBI and trying to break up a drug ring, so there is a good likelihood you will be arrested if found out. The severity of the crime will depend on what you do with the recordings, however.
2007-05-02 16:06:16 · answer #2 · answered by Lief Tanner 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
relies upon what you pick to do with it at a later degree. i might want to imagine of circumstances in which a recording can't be admitted as evidence because you probably did no longer have the different social gathering's consent. In Australia it will be a breach of the Listening instruments Act. fairly of evidence hostile to the different social gathering, the recording will develop into evidence hostile to your self. humorous, eh?
2016-11-24 22:15:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it is breaking any laws, but probably isn't a good idea because of the fact that if someone finds, out that you are in a stall with a recording decive, they are probably NOT going to be very happy about it. (like someone already said, it sounds like good blackmail, but it seems TOO stalky)
:-)
2007-05-02 16:05:50 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If a person in the conversation is a government worker (That includes mail people, teachers, anyone employed by the government) it is a FELONY. Otherwise it is legal but still kinda creepy...
2007-05-02 16:04:41 · answer #5 · answered by nintendogamer91 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on if someone finds out you have recorded them in a washroom. It also depends on your providence and the laws there.
2007-05-02 16:05:23 · answer #6 · answered by hbuckmeister 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
OK, quite a weird question...
but probably not. you might get into trouble with the person you were recording, but arrested? what for? but if they try to, get a lawyer. i'm sure you can work your way out of it! good luck :D
2007-05-02 16:09:06 · answer #7 · answered by sythen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bubby did that at a football stadium and then played back as half time entertainment,, Bubby is one sick puppy,, Bubby then had to run from the law,, Bubby don't fit very well out here
2007-05-02 16:06:04 · answer #8 · answered by sorneez 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depending on the state and if the party or parties know it is recorded. It may or may not be legal.
2007-05-02 16:05:14 · answer #9 · answered by ♦ Phoenix Rising♦ 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Like with a video camera, yes
2007-05-02 16:04:19 · answer #10 · answered by cass. 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋