Why is it a felony in Florida to record someone without their consent but ok for the cops?

Question

Example: As in a traffic stop.

Answer 1

It's only a felony for you to record someone if they have a "reasonable expectation of privacy".

If you sit with someone in your home, and talk to them, you need their permission to record them. If you're sitting next to them on the bus with 30 other people, you don't, because they had no expectation that the conversation wasn't being listened to by other riders on the bus.

Likewise, the cops don't need permission to tape a traffic stop because it's happening out in the open where any passer-by could watch and listen. (Or could record it himself - that's how things like the Rodney King video got published) If they want to tape you talking to your drug dealer inside his car in a back alley, though, they'll need a warrant.

Richard