by Zayed Al-Sayyed

NewsDecember 20, 20230 comments

Can You Film Police in Arizona?

When you see an altercation or incident taking place, what’s the first thing most people do? Pull out their smartphones. Although it’s not illegal to film in public, you may need to comply with officer requests to stop filming to avoid obstruction charges and detainment.

In this article, we’ll outline when it’s appropriate to film the police in Arizona and the potential consequences of noncompliance with officer requests. If you find yourself with an obstruction ticket or have been detained for filming, contact our team right away to discuss your options.

Can You Film Police in Arizona?

Filming the police in Arizona is legal. In mid-2023, a new law was circulating that would have made it illegal to knowingly film law enforcement officials within 8 feet or closer if the officer told the individual to stop recording. However, this piece of legislation was overturned by the Supreme Court. Currently, there are no laws prohibiting the filming of police officers in public.

There are loopholes that Arizona police officers can enforce to stop recordings. For example, when law enforcement officials order a crowd to disperse, this generally means stop filming and move on. Failing to follow this order can result in tickets and potential detainment.

How to Safely Film Police in Arizona

When recording law enforcement officials, it’s important that you remain outside of the situation. This means that you don’t approach the police officers to get a better video and refrain from getting involved in the situation. Maintain a safe distance from the situation (at least 8 feet) and don’t display any threatening actions, such as running toward the situation or shouting at officers.

Remember, you don’t legally need to stop recording when an officer asks you. You are within your Arizona rights to keep filming. However, some law enforcement officials can take your refusal as threatening and detain you, especially if they’ve issued an order for the crowd to disperse. In these situations, it’s best to comply, move on, and contact an attorney to determine your next course of action.

Bystander Film Can Be Beneficial for Your Case

Whether a bystander accidentally or intentionally recorded your situation, this film can be crucial to your case. Although law enforcement officials will usually seek out witnesses, it’s important to obtain film of your accident or altercation before you enter the courtroom. A qualified attorney can request all video footage of the incident so that you can enter the courtroom fully prepared.

Summary

Were you detained or fined for filming police in Arizona? If so, it’s important to go through the facts of your case with an attorney. You might have sufficient grounds for fighting the violation in court, especially with no current legislation prohibiting recording in public places. Contact out to our team at The Law Office of Zayed Al-Sayyed today to discuss your situation and go over the next steps.