Be Careful What Conversations You Record

[Joe Johaneman]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://gawker.com/5741489/recording-a-police-officer-could-get-you-15-years-in-jail' target='_blank'>http://gawker.com/5741489/recording...5-years-in-jail</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Citizens recording their public interactions with police sure seems like the kind of thing that would prevent corruption, harassment and bad behavior by cops. Just don't do it in Illinois, where it's punishable by up to 15 years in prison."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/at/auto/1295892410.usr105505.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>Twelve states have "two-party consent" eavesdropping laws.&nbsp; Three of them, Maryland, Massachusetts and Illinois don't make an exception for recording police conversations.&nbsp; The ACLU has been working to make recording police officers legal in all states.&nbsp; So far, the courts haven't been very friendly to their cause in Illinois.&nbsp; Be careful who you record with your iPhone(or any other smartphone), and where.&nbsp; I couldn't find a list of states with two-party consent laws, but if you have a link to such a resource, share it in the comments.</p>

[Sven Johannsen]

Don't know how authoritative it is, but there are lists in this artical

http://ezinearticles.com/?Audio-Recording-Laws-in-The-US&id=1210306

Two party required: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Washington.

No mention of exceptions for any but California, and that is if certain crimes being commited (planned?). No mention of "it's OK if you are recording the Man".

I find it sort of interesting that all parties have to consent. Would seem sufficient to require all parties to affirm their awareness. As in "I am recording this conversation. Do you understand?"

[Rob Alexander]

I trust, in those states, that it works the other way as well? That is, that police cannot record you on their dash cams as well, without your consent?

[Sven Johannsen]

I trust, in those states, that it works the other way as well? That is, that police cannot record you on their dash cams as well, without your consent?
Oh heavans no, you naive fellow. :rolleyes: