Can cops tell you to stop filming?

In the United States, you generally have a First Amendment right to record police officers performing their duties in public spaces. Cops can tell you to stop filming, but you are not legally required to stop unless your recording activity genuinely interferes with their operations or creates a safety hazard.

Can the police make you stop filming?

Can the police tell you to stop filming? No, police officers in California cannot legally require you to stop filming unless your actions interfere with their duties. Your right to record law enforcement is protected under the First Amendment, allowing you to document interactions in public spaces.

Can a cop tell you to delete a video recording?

Police may legally confiscate your recording device when making an arrest or when serving a subpoena or search warrant that covers your phone. But police cannot order you to delete photos, video or audio.

How do police violate the 4th Amendment?

There are many examples of Fourth Amendment violations, such as police searching someone's home without a warrant or conducting an extensive search of a vehicle during a routine traffic stop without probable cause.

Is it illegal to say shut up to a cop?

No, telling a cop to "shut up" isn't inherently illegal as it's generally protected speech under the First Amendment, but it's risky because officers might interpret it as disorderly conduct, resisting, or creating a disturbance, leading to arrest, even if charges later get dropped. While Supreme Court precedent (like City of Houston v. Hill) protects verbal criticism, officers can arrest for actions that incite immediate violence (fighting words) or true threats, or if the speech escalates to obstructing, so be aware of local laws and the officer's discretion. 

LAWYER: If Cops Tell You To Stop Filming, Say This

What happens if a cop violates your constitutional rights?

While it is true that police officers generally enjoy immunity from liability in the performance of their duties, constitutional violations rise to another level. If police officer conduct violates constitutional rights, immunity can disappear. Then the victim can hold officers liable in court.

What is a 42 police code?

In police codes, 10-42 most commonly means "Ending Tour of Duty," signifying an officer is going off-duty, often used for retirement or the end of a shift, though some departments use variations like "Check on the welfare of/at" or even indicate an officer is deceased, with "Code David" or similar for fallen officers. It's part of "Ten Codes" used for brief, efficient radio communication, but usage varies by agency. 

What does 501 mean in police?

501. Drunk driving – felony (great bodily injury or death)

Can you ask someone to stop filming you?

In California, individuals have a “right of publicity,” meaning they can object to their image being used for commercial purposes without consent.

What is an example of police violating civil rights?

Police civil rights violations include excessive force, false arrest/imprisonment, unreasonable search & seizure, malicious prosecution, racial profiling, coerced confessions, denial of medical care, and sexual misconduct, all involving abuse of power or violation of constitutional rights like freedom from unlawful detention, violence, or discrimination. These acts often fall under laws like 42 U.S.C. § 1983, allowing lawsuits against state actors who deprive people of their rights. 

Do cops have to tell you they're recording?

Police officers do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy when performing their jobs, but the people they are interacting with may have privacy rights that would require you to notify them of the recording. In many states (see here) you must affirmatively make people aware that you are recording them.

Can I sue someone for videotaping me without my consent?

Yes, you may be able to sue someone for recording you without your permission, especially if the recording happened in a private setting where you had a reasonable expectation of privacy. Whether the recording was legal depends on factors like consent laws, the nature of the conversation, and how the recording is used.

What to say when a cop asks "Do you know why I pulled you over?"?

When a cop asks, "Do you know why I pulled you over?", the safest and most recommended response is a polite "No, officer, I don't," or simply "No," to avoid admitting guilt, as officers often use this question to get drivers to incriminate themselves, even for minor or unknown infractions like a taillight being out. Stay calm, keep your hands visible, don't argue, and only provide your license, registration, and insurance when asked. 

Do I legally have to tell someone I am recording them?

State law requires all-party consent to record oral or electronic communications. If someone in a one-party consent state records communication with a California resident, California's stricter consent laws apply. Recording without consent is only allowed if all participants hear an audible beep.

Does 10/7 mean dead?

Yes, "10-7" often means "dead" or "deceased" in a symbolic, respectful way for fallen officers, though its standard meaning is "out of service," but specific police codes vary by agency; for funerals, it's a tribute to an officer permanently "out of service". While traditionally 10-7 means unavailable (e.g., on a break), some departments have evolved its use to honor officers who have died in the line of duty, often followed by a "10-42" (end of duty) or a moment of silence.
 

What is code 7 for cops?

In police radio codes, Code 7 most commonly means an officer is on a meal break or lunch, but it can also signify an officer is "out of service" for other reasons, like taking a short break or even for a fallen officer's "last call". It's a shorthand for a short pause in duty, distinct from being unavailable (like a 10-7, "out of service") or responding to an emergency. 

Why do people call the police 12?

People call the police "12" as slang because of the police radio code "10-12" (meaning visitors or backup needed) and the popular 1970s TV show Adam-12, which featured an LAPD patrol car call sign, ultimately embedding "12" in street slang, especially through rap music, to refer to law enforcement. 

Can I legally cuss out a cop?

No, cursing at a cop isn't automatically illegal due to First Amendment free speech, but it can become a crime if it crosses into "fighting words," threats, incitement, or physically obstructs their duties, potentially leading to charges like disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, or disturbing the peace, depending on state laws and the specific context. While you have the right to criticize officers, actions like making physical gestures or being disruptive can remove that protection, making it legally risky, though often not advisable. 

Can a cop handcuff you without reading your rights?

Yes, a police officer can handcuff you without reading your Miranda rights because the warning is only required before a custodial interrogation (custody + questioning), not just for the act of handcuffing or arrest itself; they can detain you for safety/investigation, and if you're cuffed but not questioned, no rights needed, but if they start asking incriminating questions while you're in custody (handcuffed), then the Miranda warning is necessary, or your answers can't be used against you. Handcuffing indicates custody, but interrogation is the trigger.
 

What is illegal for cops to do?

Use bribes to obtain testimony or evidence. Coerce or threaten a subject to force a confession. Violate your civil rights. Commit acts of police brutality.