Is it legal to videotape some one else's traffic stop?

Answer 1

No, it is public access as long as you do not get in the officers way, if you do, He or she will let you know, trust me!

Answer 2

The answer is... it depends. There was a recent case (Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. Hyde) where Hyde was stopped by a police officer and and covertly recorded the police stop on audio tape. He played the tape for the police (as part of a complaint he filed against them for the stop) and was subsequently arrested and convicted for violating Massachusetts wiretapping law.

The court ruled against him- they said that police officers also have a "right to privacy" and that the act of secretly recording the police violated that right.

So while in most cases you can videotape someone else's traffic stop, if you're in Massachusetts and you get caught, and you try to hide the camera, you can be arrested. (Of course, if you don't hide the camera, the cops are likely to seize your recording as "evidence" and possibly charge you with something like "interference of police duty.")

Answer 3

Not necessarily.

There are a couple of States - I know that Washington is one - that have passed laws making it illegal to videotape ongoing police activity.

BUT.... they haven't actually prosecuted anyone under it, so the laws not been tested on appeal, and I personally don't think it will survive such a challenge.

Richard

Answer 4

Yes, it is legal to videotape any act performed in public view.

Answer 5

Touchy subject.

Where do you live: Privacy laws differ from one country, province and state - go to your government websites to begin this research.

Answer 6

Yes. There is no reasonable expectation of privacy, on the part of the participants.