House OKs citizens taping law officers(MS)

[nalnn]

Source: Sun Herald Online

The Mississippi House of Representatives has narrowly passed a bill that clarifies the public’s right to record law enforcement officers while they work, but the measure’s author expects it to die quickly in the Senate.

Rep. Bob Evans, D-Monticello, authored House Bill 168, which recently passed the House in a 61-58 vote. Evans, who said he’s represented clients arrested for recording officers, said some law enforcement groups oppose the measure. He said citizens have a constitutional right to record the officers while they work and those who have nothing to hide shouldn’t be concerned.

Last year, the bill passed the House in a 80-39 vote, but quietly died in the Senate. He isn’t hopeful about the bill’s prospects this year, as it faces a March 1 deadline to clear committee in the Senate.

“If it even gets out of committee over there, I’ll be surprised,” Evans said.


Read more: http://www.sunherald.com/2011/02/14/2862780/house-oks-citizens-taping-law.html

---

I hope it passes. For some reason, I had a visceral reaction to seeing that guy in the video being accosted by that cop. I know, that's a pretty vague description LOL :) It made me so mad! I would love to see more people filming cops. Both to praise them when to do it right as well as to fire/jail/fine them when they don't.

[AtheistCrusader]

1. Awesome bill.

Shouldn't even be required, what with the Supreme Court's rulings on reasonable expectation of privacy, that Law Enforcement uses against us with regularity.

But a good effort.

[unferthcs]

2. filming and recording police

today it's probably rare for an individual to be able to
afford court. proving you're right or even defending a
constitutional right is too expensive. police departments of
course don't have to concern themselves with such trivia.
they, therefore, can walk over whatever rights you have or
think you have with impunity. the only possibility for
success, slim though it is, is for a third party to record or
film. if you alone try to combat the "blue force"
you will find yourself driving with broken tail lights,
cracked windshield, etc. and if you've really been
particularly nasty to those who serve and protect, you will
find yourself driving around with something in your vehicle
for the dogs to sniff. your court costs just keep piling up
while Barney and friends just keep on truckin'.    

[BlueIris]

3. What's this, a little bit of sanity regarding our rights?

How unusual. Even if it is doomed to failure.