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It's not easy because now you can be arrested for filming the police encounter and who's gonna say you were more than 8ft away from the interaction? You, of cou

It's not easy because now you can be arrested for filming the police encounter and who's gonna say you were more than 8ft away from the interaction? You, of course. But then it's your word against the police officer's word, and (1) police are willing to lie, and (2) the words of a police officer almost always carry more weight in a court proceeding. This doesn't actually change anything because if you're intending to interfere with a police interaction, you're going to interfere with a police interaction. That's already illegal. Nothing changes. If you're only intending to record the interaction, you now have this stupid law to worry about. More of our rights being restricted, with people applauding it under the guise of police safety. Also, keep in mind that police in the US already have vast protections like qualified immunity, safety and weapons training, they're armed, and they have a legal right to violence. I don't understand what sorts of protections they're desperately in need of.

frognumber 4y ago
One would hope if you're being arrested for being closer than 8 feet, when you're not, you'll have video evidence to the contrary (kinda by definition). It might not be precise enough to tell 7'11" from 8'1", but otherwise, you have actual forensic evidence to tell who was wrong and who was right.
- lovehashbrowns 4y ago
  That sounds great but now you're in court and having to prove that you were further than 8 feet. So you were harassed by police, arrested, charged with this crime, and sent to court. This is just another tool for police to harass citizens that is completely unnecessary for the safety of the public.
  - frognumber 4y ago
    Most likely, things don't go that far. Prosecutors don't want to take losing cases. There are no high-stakes consequences, as there ought to be, but it also doesn't look good for anyone involved. Your bigger picture, though, is smack-on. By the time you hit the legal system -- criminal or civil -- you've already lost. A typical case will bankrupt most people in the US. Thing is, one can always come up with an excuse to sue / prosecute someone. There's a deeper problem there which this law doesn't change. I'd rather address root causes.
    - lovehashbrowns 4y ago
      Even if it doesn't go to court, just being threatened with this crime might be enough to get someone to stop recording a police interaction. So again the law is to the detriment of the public. There is no upside to this law aside from it being a useful tool for police intimidation.

frognumber 4y ago

One would hope if you're being arrested for being closer than 8 feet, when you're not, you'll have video evidence to the contrary (kinda by definition). It might not be precise enough to tell 7'11" from 8'1", but otherwise, you have actual forensic evidence to tell who was wrong and who was right.

lovehashbrowns 4y ago
That sounds great but now you're in court and having to prove that you were further than 8 feet. So you were harassed by police, arrested, charged with this crime, and sent to court. This is just another tool for police to harass citizens that is completely unnecessary for the safety of the public.
- frognumber 4y ago
  Most likely, things don't go that far. Prosecutors don't want to take losing cases. There are no high-stakes consequences, as there ought to be, but it also doesn't look good for anyone involved. Your bigger picture, though, is smack-on. By the time you hit the legal system -- criminal or civil -- you've already lost. A typical case will bankrupt most people in the US. Thing is, one can always come up with an excuse to sue / prosecute someone. There's a deeper problem there which this law doesn't change. I'd rather address root causes.
  - lovehashbrowns 4y ago
    Even if it doesn't go to court, just being threatened with this crime might be enough to get someone to stop recording a police interaction. So again the law is to the detriment of the public. There is no upside to this law aside from it being a useful tool for police intimidation.