PHOENIX - On July 6, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed into law a bill that makes it illegal to record law enforcement within 8 feet (about 2.4 meters).Under the new law, it is a misdemeanor if someone keeps recording, after getting a verbal warning to stop.
There are, however, some exceptions to the law, including if the person recording is the one being questioned by police.While supporters say the law is meant to protect law enforcement from harm or distraction, critics say the law is unconstitutional, and does nothing to enhance transparency.The original proposal from Rep.
John Kavanagh made it illegal to record within 15 feet of an officer interacting with someone unless the officer gave permission.
The revised bill was approved on a 31-28 party-line vote Feb. 23 and lowered the distance to 8 feet.It also now allows someone who is in a car stopped by police or is being questioned to tape the encounter and limits the scope of the types of police actions that trigger the law to only those that are possibly dangerous.Kavanagh said he made the changes to address constitutional issues.