If a friend or acquaintance of yours is held by the police, or if you observe such an incident, you have the legal right to document the encounter Professional License Defense Attorney. You are not restricted in any way in the ability to create any form of audio or video recording that you like Professional Licensing Attorney. If you want to record someone being detained or arrested by law enforcement, you must ensure that you do not interfere with the process in any way. It could be helpful to provide commentary on what's going on while you record it. You are at liberty to make any comments to the police officer or to anybody else who is present that you believe might explain the situation or bring attention to any threats that you observe. If you were able to keep track of how many people were watching the conversation, you might want to include that information in your video or note it down afterward.

It's also important to know your limitations with regards to prohibited actions.

Citizens are not permitted to meddle in police matters while the officers are on the clock. It is not against the law to speak with members of law enforcement while they are performing their duties; nevertheless, you should avoid saying anything that might instigate violence, interfere with the police, or lead to the resisting of an arrest. If a police officer perceives your remarks to be disruptive or an attempt to interfere with their duties, you run the risk of being detained Legal Guardian. Regarding the question of whether or not what you did was illegal.

Is it possible to record if I am detained?

Even though it is not against the law to record an interaction with law enforcement, you should use extreme caution in order to avoid giving the impression that you are antagonistic toward the officers. If you are documenting your interaction with a law enforcement officer, you should refrain from doing anything that may be interpreted as hostile, such as reaching for and elevating your phone. This is especially important if you are filming the interaction. If you are stopped for a traffic infraction, you may wish to record the interaction by tapping the button on your phone that initiates the recording of audio and then placing your phone on the dashboard or the passenger seat. Because of this, you will be able to continue driving safely with both hands on the wheel at all times. If you are being detained on the street, you should avoid reaching for your phone to capture the situation since it may give the impression that you are looking for a weapon. Make sure the officer can see both of your hands at all times.

What recourse do I have if I believe a police officer has treated me or someone else unfairly?

Remember that you shouldn't dispute with the police officer. Stay composed and polite even if the police isn't treating you with the same courtesy. You shouldn't dispute about your rights during a traffic stop or an arrest. These matters can be settled in due time via the legal system. Never reach out or try to touch the cops. Don't make the cops guess where your hands are. When interacting with police, it's always a good idea to find out if they're filming the situation with their body cameras. Make sure your voice is audible and clear enough to be recorded by the officer's body cam or dash cam. You can either get the officer's badge number or take down the name of the agency and the vehicle's license plate. As soon as the officer releases you, if you still feel uncomfortable, you should document the interaction in some way (such as a video or audio recording) in case you later need to back up your claims. Keep in mind that every circumstance is different and that not all meetings with law enforcement end badly. However, if you've been wrongfully treated or accused of a crime, you should go to a lawyer who can explain your options and defend your freedom.