Police interactions and recording

Observation versus interference

Some federal appellate courts have recognized a First Amendment interest in recording police performing public duties in public places. Other courts have framed the issue differently, and facts matter. Utah is in the Tenth Circuit; do not assume a First Circuit or Ninth Circuit opinion controls a Utah street.

Recording is not a right to stand in a roadway, to crowd a detained person, or to ignore a lawful safety command. Keep distance. Do not obstruct.

Identification

Whether you must identify yourself depends on the encounter type and state stop-and-identify rules. Those rules are not identical across the West. See the identification page and your state draft guide.