Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Videoing Police

Remember that Carbondale police officer that got filmed sleeping in St. Francis Xavier's parking lot a couple of weeks ago? From the 1960s until last year, the officer was correct, videoing an officer on duty was illegal in the great state of Illinois. However, that got thrown out as unconstitutional. 

Under the current, you may record any conversation wherein the parties have no expectation of privacy, i. e. yelling at each other in public. However, recording "eavesdropping" on police and public officials is still illegal, although the new law does not state what constitutes eavesdropping and that will likely get hashed out in court.  Recording an officer while he sits behind the wheel of his vehicle, especially if he is not saying anything, appears legal.

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