Man Arrested for Unlawful Photography

[OdzBodkinz]

Man Arrested For Unlawful Photography | TriCities

This is a rather interesting story. I hope that it generates a positive discussion.

[Douglas]

Could be an interesting case, but most likely all charges will be dropped (and then the suit will start).

I know I did something similar about 10 years ago. A cop gave me a ticket for running a stop sign (which I didnt). I photographed first from where he was that you couldnt see the sign, second that he was parked in a "No Parking" spot (it was an entryway for busses to one of those shelters) and 3rdly from the opposite side of the intersection which showed the stop sign is not visable from where the cop was parked and giving out bogus tickets.

Of course when I brought them to court, they used the "you can pay for your ticket or a lawyer" line.

[pommie]

Originally Posted by Douglas

Could be an interesting case, but most likely all charges will be dropped (and then the suit will start).

I know I did something similar about 10 years ago. A cop gave me a ticket for running a stop sign (which I didnt). I photographed first from where he was that you couldnt see the sign, second that he was parked in a "No Parking" spot (it was an entryway for busses to one of those shelters) and 3rdly from the opposite side of the intersection which showed the stop sign is not visable from where the cop was parked and giving out bogus tickets.

Of course when I brought them to court, they used the "you can pay for your ticket or a lawyer" line.

Well I hope you paid the ticket, because the officer does not have to be able to see the stop sign from where he was, he just has to know its there.
As far as him parking where he shouldn't, where do you suggest he parks while he give you the ticket, in the nearest vacant carpark, you know the one five mile down the road.
Whether you ran the light or not is your word against his and no business of anyone else, but all the rest is sour grapes.
I think that as this is a photography forum the OP was meaning a discussion on the rights of the photographer, not about 'cop bashing'.

Cheers David

[Brooks]

I think the real crime here is owning and using an IPhone.

[dch]

This officer is probably currently being schooled on photographers rights.

[Jacco]

Originally Posted by dch

This officer is probably currently being schooled on photographers rights.

Officials are supposed to be trained at a particular subject before they should be allowed to hand out tickets on it.

[roncgizmo]

This officer should be out of a job. It sounds like he's on a power trip

[Sparky98]

The video won't play for me. I tried one of the other videos on the site and it played fine but the one about the photographer won't play - at least for me. I am curious if someone else can play the video or if it is just my computer. Do you think the police or possibly the photographer's lawyer asked them to block the video?

I went back and tried again and the video still won't play but this time the report was there and I got to read it. The first 2 or 3 times I tried to look at the video there was no report under the video. It is probably just a problem with my computer.

[roncgizmo]

Originally Posted by Sparky98

The video won't play for me.

Same here.

[generic]

Well, I dont know it it'll play or not since as soon as the new browser window opened it imediately shut down (closed) my browser (3 windows). I call that a browser crash normally but this time it appeared to be a result of that site.

gene

[Douglas]

Originally Posted by pommie

Well I hope you paid the ticket, because the officer does not have to be able to see the stop sign from where he was, he just has to know its there.
As far as him parking where he shouldn't, where do you suggest he parks while he give you the ticket, in the nearest vacant carpark, you know the one five mile down the road.
Whether you ran the light or not is your word against his and no business of anyone else, but all the rest is sour grapes.
I think that as this is a photography forum the OP was meaning a discussion on the rights of the photographer, not about 'cop bashing'.

Cheers David

I had stopped because it is a blind corner. Stopped at the sign, then at the corner. His car was parked where it was, and he was in the process of writing one ticket when he waived me over.

I was able to drive home, get my camera and ride my bike back (about 10-15 min since I was bring my mom home from Chemo at the time) and he was giving 2 other cars tickets. So he was parked illegally, and just handing out tickets to anyone that turned that corner.

And I wasnt cop bashing. I was just telling my story as it was related to the article. I explained the photos I had taken and why. I have no reason to bash the police. And im only posting this to defend myself

[OdzBodkinz]

Originally Posted by pommie

Well I hope you paid the ticket, because the officer does not have to be able to see the stop sign from where he was, he just has to know its there.


Cheers David

If the police officer cannot see the intersection, how can he see if anyone is complying with the roadsign?

[generic]

Cop bashing ?

When a gang member wears colors (s)he is assumed to support the actions and reputation of the group. Average intelligence dictates that we are often judged by the company we keep. When a gang member shouts a defence against the perception that (s)he is a 'gang member' it doesnt mean much in the eyes of society. The reputation is pretty much accepted to represent the pattern percieved by the public.

The thin grey line 'is not thin' relative to the extremes. It begins way closer to 'good' and ends way later than 'bad'. Deal with it.

It's pretty obvious that when public servants feel they are doing something they feel will be seen as a 'good thing' they welcome all the attention they can get including reporters and news crews and certainly onlookers. And when they themselves feel that what they are doing might not be seen as a good thing are defensive and sometimes angry enough about it to react . When 'we' are caught and embarrased by our actions our reaction is not always to 'fix' what were doing but to defend what we are doing as somehow 'right'.

The 'truth' can be 'bashing' when it is used selectively to further one's own ends and ignored when it does not. But it is never the less, the truth.

In this case the complaint is photo related. That brings it here. But it is as relevant as with any other form of expression.

[WayneM]

Back to the original posting; It would seem that Scott Conover was Kidnapped at implied gunpoint by officers in the employment of The Johnson County sheriff’s Department. They should be charges as such and any legal representative of the County who declines to do so should be charged with conspiracy after the fact.

These charges make as much or more sense that Illegal Photography, and pointing a laser at an officer (when no laser was present). Now as for the disorderly conduct the actions as described in the arresting officers statement do not seem to meet the criteria described in the quoted statute.

Wayne

[Mark McCall]

I once got a ticket for parking in a reserved spot on the Texas Tech Campus.

I promptly got out my camera. (I was leaving a bridal session)., took a photo of my truck next to a sign that said "Parking for Merket Alumni Center Only"....which is where my session was.
I was completely legal.

The photo was presented at my hearing. Ticket was dismissed.