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Right to Record

Although many legal experts agree that people have the right to film the police, some argue that the legal precedent is unclear and incomplete. In any event, police continue to interfere with journalists, activists, and others who record them. In the absence of clear legal rulings, some states have passed policies to protect those who film the police.

last updated: November 2021

8 States

Explicit right to record police interactions

42 States

no explicit law to record the police

Recent Legislation

2021

Maryland

Passed a law prohibiting a police officer from interfering with someone recording them

2020

Nevada

Passed a law prohibiting an officer from preventing someone from recording them

New York

Established a right to record police officers and prohibiting officers from interfering with citizens who are

Policy Momentum