Is it legal to film a DOT stop?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by IPTYDFUL, Oct 13, 2017.

  1. IPTYDFUL

    IPTYDFUL Bobtail Member

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    I was wondering if anyone has done this or if there's any legal precedence regarding filming or recording as you are stopped by DOT.
     
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  3. dptrucker

    dptrucker Road Train Member

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    I've seen a few youtube videos where they are taping the inspections in a scalehouse.
     
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  4. ZVar

    ZVar Road Train Member

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    Cops don't like to be filmed and will do everything they can to punish the filmer. Would you really risk them getting that picky on you truck. I'm sure a rig new off the lot they can find something to write up if motivated to.
    That being said.... Usually if it goes to court the judge will allow the recording.
     
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  5. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    Yes.

    However. It is their property. Never mind the tripe about public servants, public property etc etc etc. It's all hooey. If you want to stay in good graces, turn off the camera when asked to do so. Oh, this crappy old 20 year old camera? Sure, give me a minute to fool with this stupid thing. (Another camera is quietly recording...)

    The best old cameras are the ones that whir when on. Scare the pants off them officers, poor things... so baaad in teasing. he he he. No film anywhere, just a big old electric motor chattering and whirring.
     
  6. 8thnote

    8thnote Road Train Member

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    Filming the police during a traffic stop is a very clearly protected 1st amendment right

    Filming and Photographing the Police | LegalMatch Law Library
     
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  7. Sirscrapntruckalot

    Sirscrapntruckalot Road Train Member

    Lots of videos out there of folks who do it. The cops generally give whoever is working the camera a hard time. Usually some #####ing, or asking whoevers working the camera to back up some. You can record them legally, is the way I understood it. Why should they care? They already got a dash cam, an lots wear the body cams. From my understanding it's perfectly legal to record the police doing their jobs..long as your not all in their grill while doing a traffic stop. Commonsense should be used.

    When they get upset, I would give them the same line they give me .."If you got nothing to hide officer, then surely you don't mind if I record this eh?" Which is just like their.."well if you got nothing to hide son, you don't mind if I search your vehicle."


    I hear on an on about the 2nd amendment, more folks should learn about the 4th one.

    An on that note...

    [​IMG]

    Sirscrapntruckalot - Back to eating tacos I go.
     
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  8. Tb0n3

    Tb0n3 Road Train Member

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    Due to working in transportation we don't get the liberty of the fourth.
     
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  9. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Yeah the border patrol doesn't mind being filmed when you go thru a check point in N,M, and you challenge their authority to ask you of your citizen ship......
     
  10. IPTYDFUL

    IPTYDFUL Bobtail Member

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    Hadn't really been thinking about the Fourth Amendment... but that photo cracks me up!

    I've seen stories where bystanders have been filming and sometimes The Police become very aggressive and attempt to stop them or even take their film or camera. From what I understand as long as you are not interfering with any investigation or police duties it is your right to film.

    With trucks and DOT, I would think we would still enjoy the same Liberty of being permitted to film or record, but unless you had a dash camera running or unless you were live on Facebook, I'm not sure how that would work if you had a rogue DOT officer.

    For example, if a DOT officer did something ridiculous like bangs on your door while you are in your sleeper and demands that you log yourself on duty so that he can inspect you, I'm not sure how that would go when you say to him,
    "hang on a second, let me start filming this"...

    I get that we handle these types of situations by stating something like, " I will comply with whatever you ask me to do but I will tell you that I do believe this is not within the scope of your authority, but I am not fighting you- I will absolutely comply. I think that's the best way to handle it, but that is exactly when you SHOULD be filming.

    I'm not suggesting that I myself would be filming or not filming, but I think that the actual recording of the event is such powerful evidence to anyone's innocence or guilt or over reach of the law, that in theory all encounters should be filmed. I do think that one day it will be commonplace for everything like that to be filmed every time.
     
  11. lilillill

    lilillill Sarcasm... it's not just for breakfast

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    I have six cameras in my truck... they have no choice.
     
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