AUSTIN – State Sen. Craig Estes on Tuesday announced his filing of Senate Bill 897, also known as the “Freedom to Film Act,” which will secure every citizen’s right to film and document the police without being harassed.
In recent years, as more and more people have started carrying smartphones, there has been a disturbing trend nationwide of citizens being harassed by law enforcement for filming, photographing, and recording law enforcement officers.
Unfortunately, multiple incidents have occurred in Texas where citizens were told to stop filming the police, even though filming the police is perfectly legal.
SB 897 seeks to clarify that a citizen is perfectly within their legal right to film police officers during the course of their normal duties.
Specifically, if a citizen is charged with interference with public duties, failure to obey the police, or assaulting an officer and is subsequently acquitted, the citizen may recover the costs of defending the frivolous charges.
“My hope is that this bill will cause our police departments to think twice before arresting and charging a person who is doing nothing more than filming the police,” said Estes, R-Wichita Falls, whose district includes Parker County. “The police are public servants, so they should not be doing anything that they would not want caught on film.”
Local News
Related Photos
-
State Sen. Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls Courtesy
The Democrat welcomes comments. Inappropriate language or comments outside our standards will be removed. No guest or anonymous comments allowed.
Estes files ‘Freedom to Film Act’
Bill confirms the legality of filming, photographing and observing the police
- Local News
-
-
Suspect Tasered after traffic stop, chase
A Weatherford man who was stopped late Tuesday over vehicle-related violations ended up being Tasered and taken to jail after he reportedly fled a deputy, according to the Parker County Sheriff’s Office.
-
Zonta’s sweet event Tuesday
Join the Zonta Club of Parker County for an evening of “Sweet Entertainment” this Tuesday at The Texas Opry Theater, 315 York Ave., in historic downtown Weatherford, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
-
ASK A MASTER GARDENER: Timely prunings will make for better mums
Garden mums are a perennial that will bloom twice each year if they are not pruned. However, the stems will be long and floppy and the flowers will be small. Timely pruning will greatly improve the appearance and the bloom of the plant.
-
Local Guild sends quilts to West nursing home residents
The Quilter’s Guild of Parker County has a long history of providing quilts to local organizations and individuals through it’s Comfort Quilt Program.
-
WCS student reads in nation’s capitol marking 224th inaugural anniversary of President George Washington
Madison Avery Flynn, daughter of Sean and Ashley Flynn, of Weatherford, and a first grader at Weatherford Christian School, participated in a historic event in the nation’s capitol on May 8th honoring President George Washington.
-
Local artists’ works on display
The Weatherford Art Association announced the Artist of the Month for April at their Monday meeting.
-
MILITARY NEWS: Pvt. Thompson completes basic infantry training
Army National Guard Pvt. Ian A. Thompson has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga.
-
Substance abuse rally Monday at Texas Opry Theater
The next IFC Wellness Coalition “Substance Abuse Awareness Rally” is Monday evening at the Texas Opry Theater.
-
Sheriff's investigators probe shooting
Parker County sheriff’s investigators are looking into a shooting incident that led to a female being injured.
-
CRIME STOPPERS: Alleged check forger sought
On April 20 at approximately 6 p.m. an unidentified white male forged a stolen check at Super Save grocery store located at 102 College Park Ave. in Weatherford.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Suspect Tasered after traffic stop, chase
Raw: Kevin Durant Tours Moore After $1M Pledge
Weiner Launches Bid to Become NYC Mayor
Okla. Teens Get Video of Deadly Tornado Overhead
Man Shot While Questioned in Boston Probe
School Storm Protection Spotty in Tornado Zones
9-year-old Tornado Victim Loved Family, Singing
Moore Native Toby Keith Tours Tornado Damage
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Okla. City Mayor: Up to 13K Homes Hit by Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Paperless Scanner, Vision of the Future
Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links
Garcetti Elected Los Angeles Mayor Over Greuel
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
