# Filming cops from within a 25-foot radius could be illegal in Texas **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 20, 2015, 8:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filming-cops-from-within-a-25-foot-radius-could-be-illegal-in-texas/715472 "2015-03-20T08:51:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2015, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filming-cops-from-within-a-25-foot-radius-could-be-illegal-in-texas/715472/21 "2015-03-20T20:44:28Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > The video (found [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CR_k-dTnDU)) clearly shows an area much larger than 25 feet and it seem clear to me that the videographer was more than 25 feet away. > > Do you disagree? > > If not, can you explain your conclusion that the video would not have happened if the Texas law had been in force in BC? :rolleyes: WTF are you playing at here, **Bricker**? Why are you paraphrasing his statement and then expecting him to defend it? ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2015, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filming-cops-from-within-a-25-foot-radius-could-be-illegal-in-texas/715472/22 "2015-03-20T20:47:16Z")
The language would also prohibit you from filming a police interaction within your own vehicle (unless there’s an exception in the law; I’ll concede that I haven’t read it word for word). ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2015, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filming-cops-from-within-a-25-foot-radius-could-be-illegal-in-texas/715472/23 "2015-03-20T20:59:45Z")
> [@Zebra](#): > > What if you are in your own home? I certainly couldn’t be 25 feet away in my house. You’re also not 25 feet away if you’re a passenger in a car. It would silence the videos showing police abuse at traffic stops. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2015, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filming-cops-from-within-a-25-foot-radius-could-be-illegal-in-texas/715472/24 "2015-03-20T21:19:47Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > ??? From the OP linked article… > _The measure does allow the “news media” to film within the 25-foot halo. However, the bill’s definition of media includes FCC-licensed television and radio stations, and magazines and newspapers. Online-only sites (such as Ars Technica) are excluded from the definition of “news media.”_ > > I assume the requirement that the media be FCC licensed is to remove a loophole that just anyone wanting to film could not claim “I’m a member of the media!” Since it’s a cable-only operation, does CNN have or need an FCC license? ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2015, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filming-cops-from-within-a-25-foot-radius-could-be-illegal-in-texas/715472/25 "2015-03-20T21:38:20Z")
Since [the law](http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/84R/billtext/html/HB02918I.htm) explicitly states “a person: (1) filming, recording, photographing, or documenting the officer within 25 feet of the officer…” I wonder what that means for passive surveillance devices, like a camera mounted on your dashboard or a security camera mounted in your home or business. Yes, a person set up that camera at some time in the past, but if the person is not controlling the camera at the time it recorded the officer performing his duties…? So, if somebody robs a liquor store and the owner calls the police and the store’s security camera is still on when the police come to take a report, will they haul the liquor store owner away to jail (assuming the camera is within 25 feet)? Will security cameras in doughnut shops be outlawed? And getting back to the exception for FCC-licensed TV stations and newspapers: If the BBC wants to cover a riot in Dallas, will they be violating the law if they come within 25 feet of an officer? How about the AP or UPI since they just supply content to newspapers but don’t actually own any? ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2015, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filming-cops-from-within-a-25-foot-radius-could-be-illegal-in-texas/715472/26 "2015-03-20T22:45:12Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > How do you figure? because the poorly worded legislature doesn’t mention having _just_ a gun within 25 feet but having a camera is verboten, Having both gun _and_ camera though…that pushes the no-go zone out to 100 feet. I sort of understand that though as I’m assured by those in the know that having more guns in febrile situations helps to ensure that less people get killed. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2015, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filming-cops-from-within-a-25-foot-radius-could-be-illegal-in-texas/715472/27 "2015-03-20T23:02:29Z")
1. Hasn’t the right to film police been upheld elsewhere as a protected first amendment activity? I can’t remember now but I think it was Illinois or Indiana. 2. The firearm addition is obviously just there so the police can pretend they’re doing this for their personal safety. However it also has the practical effect of preventing filming at the 25’ mark because now the police will just stop everyone at the closer point and make them prove that they are not carrying. ---
**Author:** ![Master\_Wang-Ka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/master_wang-ka/32/3325_2.png) [@Master\_Wang-Ka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Master_Wang-Ka)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2015, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filming-cops-from-within-a-25-foot-radius-could-be-illegal-in-texas/715472/28 "2015-03-20T23:35:01Z")
In Texas, cops can arrest you for filming too close, filming from too far away, filming at ALL, or NOT filming, for that matter. Or simply existing improperly. And then turn you loose a day or three later, after deciding not to press charges. ---
**Author:** ![syncrolecyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f08c70/32.png) [@syncrolecyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/syncrolecyne)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2015, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filming-cops-from-within-a-25-foot-radius-could-be-illegal-in-texas/715472/29 "2015-03-20T23:42:23Z")
> [@The\_Second\_Stone](#): > > Is Gov. Abbott also a moron? I’d give Abbott a few IQ points over Perry. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filming-cops-from-within-a-25-foot-radius-could-be-illegal-in-texas/715472/30 "2015-03-21T00:24:54Z")
It’s still better than the old law which prohibited you from filming, recording, photographing, or documenting a police officer without the express written consent of Major League Baseball. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2015, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filming-cops-from-within-a-25-foot-radius-could-be-illegal-in-texas/715472/31 "2015-03-21T01:36:20Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > John Locke would be turning in his grave. [Paraphrasing Randy Newman] _If Locke were living today He’d be rolling around in his grave_ [/Paraphrasing Randy Newman] Newman wrote it about Karl Marx, from the song _The World Isn’t Fair._ I love that little bit of hilarious lyric writing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/filming-cops-from-within-a-25-foot-radius-could-be-illegal-in-texas/715472.md?page=1)