Is it illegal to watch all my neighbors through my binoculars?

Question

I'm not saying is it normal or immoral, but is it actually illegal? I cannot lie, I am addicted to watching them all now. It's not that all that much exciting stuff goes on, but enough stuff that it's worth watching. This one real big lady had dropped her keys while she was trying to get up in her car. She had to get one leg in then reach around and pull the other one in, then push her breastes up in there. I have it on video. Sometimes I can see them eating, and I just wish I could hear into their house better. But is all that illegal?

Answer 1

Okay folks, there's a small legal component you're missing in thinking it constitutes "Peeping Tom".

Private Property: It requires the individual to be loitering, prowling, or wandering UPON THE PRIVATE PROPERTY of another without visible or lawful business with the occupant or owner. This is the CA. Statue. PC 647 (ff) (3) (g). Your individual states Statue will vary. Spying...that would be a federal offense covered by U.S. Title. It doesn't apply at all. Criminal Surveillance requires physical entrance with intent.

To observe from outside the private property is legal. Photographing, videotaping etc., what is visible without having to enter onto the private property is open season.

A lot of people think permission has to be granted for somebody to view or take pictures of them in a public place, or while they are on private property and the person taking the picture/viewing is off the property. It's a common misconception.

Reasonable expectation to privacy is why you have curtains on your windows. It is expected that you will draw them prior to stripping down and standing in front of them, to protect your privacy.

If your neighbor wants to sit on his roof and watch you nude sunbathing in your back yard there isn't a thing you can do about it. Doesn't make it right, but it also means the person sunbathing nude isn't very smart, knowing the possibilities.

On the morality side, you're climbing a real slippery slope. There's a cut off point to watching people. When you have to entertain yourself at the expense of someone else's dignity, as in that woman in the vehicle, it's a pretty good indicator your elevator is going sideways. Sooner or later you're going to push the envelope and somebody is going to catch on to you. When they do, don't be suprised if the fire department makes it to your rescue before the local P.D. or S.O.

Another Common Misconception: Telephone calls can't be recorded unless permission is given. WRONG.

1. If you initiate a telephone call, the recieving party may record the call without having to inform you.
2. If you are the receiver of the telephone call and the initiating party wants to record it, then you must be informed and acknowledge it's recording for it to be legal.
.

Answer 2

Person Looking Through Binoculars

Answer 3

No it is not illegal. And morality is for sheep. Wit shimming is right it requires an expectation of privacy that is acted upon. Ex ray binoculars that could see through someone's shades are indeed illegal. Otherwise you are fine. But you are a peeping tom. But who cares...

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Is it illegal to watch all my neighbors through my binoculars?
I'm not saying is it normal or immoral, but is it actually illegal? I cannot lie, I am addicted to watching them all now. It's not that all that much exciting stuff goes on, but enough stuff that it's worth watching. This one real big lady had dropped her keys while she was trying to...

Answer 5

Peeping Tom Law

Answer 6

It is illegal once the resident is inside their home and now are protected by the privacy of the home itself, If the windows are open then the person within the home has not shown reasonable expectations of privacy but if the person draws the blinds then that person is now entitled to the 4th amendment protection and it is illegal to try and get a peek within the cracks of the blinds. United States Vs Kim explains that law as well as Katz.

Answer 7

As long as you remain on your own property, it's legal in most areas. Also, distributing any sort of photographs or videos would be illegal regardless of whether the images were taken on your own property. However, if your neighbor sees this he/she will be very pissed and that would not be good.

Answer 8

Well, even though I laughed when I read your question and details, I'm pretty sure if I ever saw somebody spying on me with binoculars more than once, I'd probably call the cops!

Answer 9

While the practice may be abnormal and certainly unethical, if they are not in a location to expect privacy, it is legal. This means peeping into bedrooms is illegal where watching the neighbor lady mow the yard in her bikini is legal.

Answer 10

It could certainly be an indication of some level of voyeuristic perversion....which qualifies you as a bonified "Voyeur".

As far as the legality of this practice...yes, there are laws on the books making it illegal to spy or look into your neighbors property without their permission...
it's called the "Peeping Tom Ordinance".

Check this out...
A "peeping tom" is usually a voyeur, one who gets pleasure, particularly sexual pleasure, from secretly watching others (that's you).

"Peeping Tom" laws are often contained within loitering, disturbing the peace or criminal surveillance laws. A person commits the crime of criminal surveillance if he or she intentionally engages in surveillance while trespassing in a private place. Surveillance is generally defined as the secret observation of the activities of another person for the purpose of spying on them and invading their privacy. It also applies to a person who peeps through windows or doors.

That video(s) you have is incriminating evidence against you and anyone wishing to make your life a little less pleasant and who turns it in to the police would get their wish by seeing you sentenced to up to 10 years in prison for the first offense.