Federal judge blocks Arizona law restricting filming of police

[MarineCombatEngineer]

A federal judge blocked an Arizona law on Friday that was set to ban the recording of police within 8 feet of a “law enforcement activity.”

U.S. District Judge John Tuchi granted a preliminary injunction requested by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Arizona and multiple media outlets, which argued that the law violates the First Amendment rights of journalists and the public.

The law, which Gov. Doug Ducey (R) signed into law in July and was set to go into effect later this month, prohibits people from recording law enforcement activity in the 8-foot radius if they know or reasonably should know the activity is occurring. They are also not allowed to record if an officer warns them that an activity is happening.

The law defines a law enforcement activity as the questioning of a “suspicious” person, arresting someone, issuing a summons, enforcing the law or handling an “emotionally disturbed or disorderly person” showing “abnormal” behavior.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/federal-judge-blocks-arizona-law-restricting-filming-of-police/ar-AA11ELlA?cvid=f6be0842dfa140239088571a68038877

This is good, because we all know that the police hate being filmed and this law is nothing more than police trying to criminalize recording of police while in their official capacity.

[Mysterian]

1. Good!

Thanks for posting.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

9. My pleasure.

This seemed important because the repukes are, again, trying to erode our rights.
It's good to see we're fighting back and winning.

[ThoughtCriminal]

2. If you think 8 feet is too close

Consider that this would include anyone inside a car that had been stopped and dashboard cams.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

4. The law actually makes exceptions for those being pulled over or being questioned,

but we all know that the police will somehow turn it into a crime, their favorite tactic is to claim that it's impeding their "investigation" or obstructing them.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not anti cop, I'm anti corrupt cop, as are most here on DU.

The law was written by an ex cop turned repuke legislature named, get this, Kavanaugh.
I kid you not.

[Mr.Bill]

3. Sounds like they are trying to stop

people filming when getting pulled over by a cop, among other things.

[ProfessorGAC]

5. Sure Seems That Way

I'm certain they couched it in public safety terms, but it feels more like repressing potential evidence.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

7. That's exactly what they did.

It makes it illegal to knowingly film police officers 8 feet or closer if the officer tells the person to stop. And on private property, an officer who decides someone is interfering or the area is unsafe can order the person to stop filming even if the recording is being made with the owner's permission.

[ProfessorGAC]

8. I Thought I Remembered That...

...when it first passed.
Thanks for the confirmation.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

11. +100. nt

[MarineCombatEngineer]

6. Yep.

Even standing on your own property, the cops could order you to stop recording if they deem it to be interfering with them or it's deemed unsafe.

It makes it illegal to knowingly film police officers 8 feet or closer if the officer tells the person to stop. And on private property, an officer who decides someone is interfering or the area is unsafe can order the person to stop filming even if the recording is being made with the owner's permission.

[CatWoman]

10. they're coming for you, Florida

as DeSantis signed several stupid legislation into law.

[iluvtennis]

12. Excellent news! n/t

[LiberalFighter]

13. If cops aren't doing anything illegal why are they concerned about being filmed?

[MarineCombatEngineer]

14. Ding, ding, ding

We have a winner.
Exactly right, they shouldn't fear citizens filming them if they're not doing anything illegal.

[tishaLA]

15. AZ has several excellent, aggressive copwatchers on YouTube

and the cops are tired of looking incompetent and corrupt in the eyes of the entire world. The law was patently unconstitutional, though, and the AZ legislature had to know it'd be shot down the first time someone challenged it.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

16. Yep, I live here in AZ and do love watching the 1A auditors in action on YouTube. nt

[Warpy]

17. Cops obviously didn't want traffic stops videos from surfacing

Now I just wonder why that is.

[SheltieLover]

18. Good!