Law Professors Amicus in Fields (Right to Record)

Yesterday we filed our amicus brief in Fields & Geraci v. City of Philadelphia, a Third Circuit case on whether there is a First Amendment right to record police officers performing their official duties in a public forum.

The brief is available here.

Amici urge this Court to recognize that the First Amendment covers audiovisual recording of public officials performing their duties in a public place. The First Amendment protects not only pure speech and expressive conduct, but also the corollary rights necessary for free expression and access rights necessary for the functioning of our democracy. Scholars unanimously conclude that the First Amendment protects a “right to record” public officials performing public duties in public locations.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *