Mike Padgett Loc: Arizona

Court rules that citizens have the right to photograph police in public areas.

http://www.petapixel.com/2013/03/06/justice-department-affirms-the-right-to-photograph-police-in-public/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PetaPixel+%28PetaPixel%29

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Thank you

richnash46 Loc: Texas

That and a couple of bucks will get you a cup of coffee! If the police decide to bust you for any reason, they don't give a flying **** what the justice department says about anything, they will just bust you! ;) ;)

rcirr Loc: Gilbert, Arizona

But if they just "Bust you" for photographing them, you will have legal recourse!

newbie147 Loc: Manchester UK

Unfortunately i am sure they will find some other "crime" to charge you with. That's if they are like the police over here, and reading post on here they are more than willing to do this.

MarkDG

That's what the British thought about our founding fathers. How'd that work out for them?

prestonphoto Loc: Bath, NY

"I don't want my picture taken arresting this guy for DWI and me kicking his butt so I think I'll arrest this photographer for interferenece of my duties." Cops are fantastic for coming up with something to step around what the real thing is. And as long as photography isn't outright said, the photographer is in for a losing battle cause the cop's lawyers will twist the matter even more.

tiger1640 Loc: Michigan

So I would guess then it would be how much money are you willing to pay for lawyers and court fees etc, to prove your point. Sometimes it is best to leave a fire and walk away without getting burned.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

So true!!
The 'crimes' of 'Disorderly Conduct' and 'Interference With Official Acts' are such wide-open charges, with very little definition that you can be arrested for those charges with very little recourse. HOWEVER, you would still have a case to sue the police dept and the city for the destruction of ANY PHOTO FILES that they delete, if you can find a lawyer to take it on. Some will take this kind of case on a contingency basis, only collecting payment after you win and collect damages.

Merlin1300 Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX

Didja ever watch the classic - - Forbidden Planet ??
The Krell built a machine powered by the nuclear furnace at the planets' core - projecting that energy at the direction of the unfettered thought of the subconscious ID (see Freud).
Similarly our current situation with what claims to be 'law enforcement'. Mostly well intentioned - but powered by the unlimited power of our Tax dollars and directed by the purely politically inspired Chiefs of Police (whos' jobs depend NOT on protecting society, but upon keeping the Mayor happy). Not only that - - but those IN 'law enforcement' have NO DUTY to protect the individual - - their performance rating has ONLY to do with the number of convictions they are involved with, AND how much ca$h they bring in through traffic tickets. So - - they do not care if they hose a few innocents - - as long as overall it looks good to their bosses.
You and your Camera wanna fight THAT ??
Unless you've got more money than Bloomberg and Soros combined - - recommend you just say 'Yes Sir' and move on.

rcirr Loc: Gilbert, Arizona

I fully acknowledge the dangers associated with sparring with law enforcement but it's still nice to have that ruling out there......it could help under certain circumstances. Besides, most cops are good people doing a tough job and even if they get grumpy about pictures...they won't do much about it.

Having said that....great analogy! Forbidden Planet is my favorite sci-fi of all time! It really makes me laugh thinking of Leslie Neilson as a leading man. The Naked Gun hero as a swashbuckling starship captain!

djrobins

ACLU

djrobins

ACLU

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Luckily, there are no shortage of law firms just begging to defend the first amendment, so I don't see that this is an issue.