The Republic joins news organizations challenging Arizona law banning close-range recordings of police – By Chelsea Curtis (Arizona Republic) / Aug 23, 2022
Several news organizations, including The Arizona Republic, are joining the ACLU of Arizona to challenge a new state law banning close-range recordings of Arizona police.
House Bill 2319 was signed by Gov. Doug Ducey on July 6, making it illegal for Arizonans to record within 8 feet of law enforcement activity. Violators could face a misdemeanor charge, but only after being verbally warned and continuing to record anyway.
The law is scheduled to take effect on Sept. 24. Several news organizations and the ACLU of Arizona filed a complaint in U.S. District Court for Arizona on Tuesday alleging the new law violates the First and 14th amendments.
They also filed for a preliminary injunction to restrain Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich, Interim Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell and Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone from enforcing the new law once it goes into effect.
