The importance and benefits of using hidden cameras for security purposes is well known to all. However, the fact that they are “hidden”, thereby not letting people know the fact that they are being watched, makes the application of this technology a controversial issue. Some might even go as far to say that if people knew they were being monitored many crimes like shoplifting wouldn’t happen in the first place. Also, the fact that hidden cameras are sometimes used by miscreants to invade other people’s privacy doesn’t help matters either.
It is perhaps because of these reasons that laws related to hidden cameras aren’t very comprehensive and vary from state to state. So if you are planning on installing or using a hidden camera system in your home or workplace, then it would be wise to understand the laws relating to their use in your state so that you don’t face any legal problems or charges in the future when and if anyone discovers and/or takes offense to the truth that you were operating a hidden video surveillance system.
As it stands, the installation or operation of covert cameras is prohibited in only thirteen states of the United States of America. However, even in these thirteen states, the existing laws specifically prohibit the use or installation of surveillance equipment in those places where people reserve the right to expect a reasonable amount of privacy such as locker rooms, bathroom, bedrooms, dressing rooms etc.
In fact, in many states, footage of crime captured on tape via hidden camera is admissible in court as evidence! At the same time, it’s also true that in several states, prior consent from individuals being filmed isn’t even necessary, whereas in quite a few others, consent is obligatory, at least as far as letting people know that they are being watched is concerned.
Thus, from the above, it’s obvious that there is a lack of stringent and uniform laws covering the use and installation of hidden cameras. This is why it would be a prudent decision to educate yourself about the specific laws governing your region by consulting your local law enforcement agencies. You can also read up about the laws pertaining to secret surveillance in your area on the internet
And while we are on the topic of the legality of hidden cameras, another thing you should know in this regard is that it is considered illegal to record speech without the consent of all the parties involved in the states of Connecticut, California, Florida, Delaware, Illinois, Hawaii, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Nevada, Montana, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Washington, Oregon and Maryland.
Thus to conclude, safeguard yourself against possible future legal costs by doing your homework well in advance with regard to what you are legally allowed to do with hidden cameras in your state and where you need the draw the line between necessary surveillance and invasion of privacy!
By: Eric Jensen
Posts Tagged ‘States Of America’
Hidden Camera Laws
April 17th, 2010Do Republicans Have What it Takes to Keep America From Progress?
January 14th, 2010Fastforward; today is November 5, the popular vote has been registered, the people have spoken. They have cast their ballot and voted for the 44th President of the United States of America.
However, that Office is not yet secured. There is a second election. It is the real election. It is the one that counts from the office of the electoral college.
Yes “we the people” really don’t have a say in who get’s elected to this high office. But we do get to elect the people who will speak in our behalf.
It is amazing how many in the US are in the dark about our indirect voting procedure. And so it is with constitutional law that we engage in this charade, that starts off with, ironically, “We the people…
So remember when you vote it is your state electorate that will speak for you so make sure you select the ones who will support your vote… else it does become a waste.
So let’s examine America’s possible future, will you?
There are many possibilities with some representing profound changes in the way we see ourselves and some with, shall I say, “business as usual” outcomes.
These profound possibilities are crossroads for America. For two centuries this country, consisting as a melting pot, an amalgamation of all the people in the world, has consistently selected leaders that represent only one group, one type of leader.
This year for the first time in the history of this country, there is an opportunity to change that. This opportunity is seen in two politicians who have rose to prominence amongst the people.
These two politicians are representatives of different groups in the population of America. There is a Women and a Black.
Both of these groups were legally restricted in the course of our nation from voting and from having property.
Yes, it took a great deal of effort and growth from this nation to break with the old and ring in the new way when it came to both women and blacks.
So here on November 4 and 11, we have made our decision at this crossroad and selected representatives of both groups.
Is this progress for America or is this a set back?
Now let’s revisit this moment in history. Again, it is November 4 and 11 and we have made our decision as a people.
This time, we have decided to continue with business as usual. We have elected our leader from the same group that we have for the last two centuries. Is this progress or a set back?
In both cases, we sit at the crossroads of the destiny of a nation. This is the crossroad that all great nations must pass through. So what will this tell us about this nation? Will we have come to that stage that makes a nation truly great in spite of itself or will we fall back in fear of what might be and abandon the chance to grow as a nation.
Though these are real possible outcomes, it really boils down to this. It is the force of the people and not the vote that will determine if we are really ready for progress.
Are we truly ready for progress?
By: Politicp
Can Ron Paul Cure America’s Apathy?
January 9th, 2010Most citizens in the United States of America do not vote. Many never registered to vote, many others are registered but simply don’t vote. In the last federal election, fifty nine percent of the registered voters in this country showed up to vote. Of approximately two hundred and seven million registered voters in this country, only one hundred and twenty two million felt that it was important enough to take some time out of their day to vote for the president of the United States. Of these, approximately sixty two million voted for George W. Bush and approximately fifty nine million voted for John Kerry. Approximately one million two hundred thousand people voted for someone other than the two main party candidates. This leaves approximately eighty five million registered voters that did not vote. Eighty five million people would have been enough for any of the candidates running; even those in any of the third parties who all got less than one percent of the vote, to win. Why did all these voters decide not to show up at the polls in 2004?
The answer to the above question is, of course, varied and complicated. Still, I am willing to bet that a majority of these voters were simply apathetic. Many of them probably felt helpless, or that their vote didn’t matter. If they had voted for George Bush or John Kerry, their votes would be wasted like the vast majority of votes are wasted when voting for a Republican or Democrat. That’s because these people know that Democrats and Republicans are, for the most part, already bought and paid for by corporations and special interests. They have no faith in the current system because the current system has been corrupted and let us down for as long as most can remember. Many of them probably never realized that their numbers were enough that they could have voted in third party candidates at any time if they had just gotten up and voted for them. They have repeatedly been told that voting for third party candidates was a waste of a vote until they are so brainwashed that they believe the propaganda and they decide to stay home and not vote. They believe that there are only two choices. They believe that they have to vote for the lesser of two evils and so they decide not to vote at all rather than vote for evil. They believe that nothing will change no matter who they vote for, that the government is just going to do what it wants, going so far as to break its own laws and regulations. They see their rights eroding away and still they do nothing, believing that the system is broken beyond repair and there is nothing they can do about it. They walk through life disowned by the system, wanting nothing but to be left alone and instead their government gets more intrusive after each election. Feeling robbed by a callous government, they scream for relief wanting only to be able to mind their own business and their shouts fall upon deaf ears. They tire of war and the corruption and grief that go with it, and even after they send out a rallying cry around it, even when they let their feelings be known in an unequivocal manner by electing what they thought would be an anti-war congress, their cries are ignored. It is no wonder the voters are apathetic. They have given up hope.
Ron Paul hasn’t. He still believes in America. He still believes in the constitution. He still believes in the Bill of Rights. He still believes people matter. He fights from within the two party systems, wanting to take back one of the parties for the people, wanting to bring back fair representation for all and not just the wealthy few. He wants to reintegrate those eighty five million people and give them back hope. He wants to give us all the freedom to decide our own destinies, and he wants to do it by decreasing the size of government and giving us the ability to decide for ourselves what is truly important in our personal lives. This is his true agenda, and those in power are frightened by it. They know the power of the individual, they know the power of free choice and they know the power of the truth. That is why they try to make you believe he has no chance of winning, why they portray him as a Libertarian whose dreams and ideals are just too impractical for today’s world. That is why they wanted to exclude him from the last debate. The other candidates want the apathy to remain in place. They want to maintain control of you. Ron Paul wants to give you back the control you so richly deserve, the control that the Bill of Rights states the government will not take from you.
Ron Paul is not only a politician, he’s a doctor. When he practiced medicine he was honest with his patients and expected them to take part in their treatment. To do this, he may have, at times, tried to change the attitude of his patients. Sometimes that’s more important than anything else a doctor can do. He has diagnosed America’s problems and has come up with a treatment for them. Part of the problem in America is apathy. He can fight this problem with his message of freedom and liberty. More than this, he can fight it by his actions, which anyone can see by his voting record. He consistently voted against legislation that removes our freedoms and replaces them with government nannyism. This message is a powerful one, and if it gets out to the apathetic it may resonate within them and get them to become active in America’s treatment. If enough of us spread the word, if enough of us realize our ills and take action to help treat them, Ron Paul just might be able to cure America’s apathy, and other diseases inflicting our country as well. Register as a republican. Vote for Ron Paul. Vote for other freedom advocates running for congressional offices. Become involved. It is time to restore hope to our country. It is time for us to reclaim our personal responsibility. It is time for us to once again care.
By: Rahul awasthi
