9/13/22

Folks can keep getting close to film police officers in Prescott and elsewhere in Yavapai County, at least for the time being. A federal judge in Phoenix has blocked enforcement of a new Arizona law restricting the filming of police. U.S. District Judge John Tuchi agreed with the American Civil Liberties Union and multiple media organizations that the law appeared to violate the First Amendment. The law was slated to take effect September 24th. Bystander cellphone videos are largely credited with revealing police misconduct and reshaping the conversation around police transparency. But the practice is abused by so-called First Amendment auditors who at times interfere with police during the performance of their duties.