Federal Court Rules Indiana’s 25-Foot Police Buffer Law Unenforceable

Why People Record Public Interactions

It has become more common for some folks when something is going down - maybe a traffic stop or a big commotion – their first instinct is to pull out their phone and start recording. It’s not just about being nosy. For a lot of people, it’s about keeping things transparent and making sure everyone’s playing by the rules.

Well, here’s some good news if you are one of those aforementioned folks: a federal appeals court has just ruled that Indiana’s “25-foot buffer law” cannot be enforced.

ALSO READ: You’re Breaking the Law in Indiana if You DON’T Do This While Driving

What Indiana's 25-Foot Buffer Law Said

That law passed last summer and lets police tell you to stay 25 feet away while they are doing their job, or risk arrest and a misdemeanor. The problem that people had/have with the law is that it wasn’t clear when or how officers should use it. The ACLU of Indiana and a bunch of media groups argued it shut down the public’s right to watch and record, which is a big part of holding officials accountable.

How the Court Reached Its Decision

Reporters said it made covering news harder and could even be abused. The court asked, “Could an officer use it for any reason - even just because they were in a bad mood?” The answer was yes. And the judges said that was exactly the problem.

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Both the lower court and the appeals court agreed that the law was too vague and opened the door for unfair enforcement. So, they’ve hit pause on it and sent the case back to see if a smaller, clearer version might work.

[h/t: Fox 59]