Phyrfight Intel

So, while the government intrudes more and more into the lives of citizens, with stop light and CCTV cameras, citizens risk massive jail sentences if they dare record police officers in an effort to document the actions of police.

“A statute intended to prevent unwarranted intrusions into a citizen’s privacy cannot be used as a shield for public officials who cannot assert a comparable right of privacy in their public duties,” the judge wrote in his decision dismissing the five counts of eavesdropping charges against defendant Michael Allison.

“Such action impedes the free flow of information concerning public officials and violates the First Amendment right to gather such information,” he wrote….

In Thursday’s ruling, Circuit Court Judge David Frankland said that Allison had a First Amendment right to record the police officers and court employees.

The judge also ruled that while it was reasonable to prohibit the defendant from recording in the courtroom, making what Allison did a felony offense was overreaching and irrational.”

http://www.theagitator.com/2011/09/17/illinois-judge-dismisses-charges-against-michael-allison/