Washington, MI asked in Legal Malpractice and Traffic Tickets for Michigan

Q: Is it legal for a cop to follow me around after I recorded him, and write me up for a statute I didn't violate? help

I feel like my 1st amendment rights to freedom of press and speech are being attacked, I filed a complaint and the supervisor blew me off and said he won't argue the constitution with me, deal with the ticket in court. I don't feel I should be picked on by law enforcement when I am not committing crime.

1 Lawyer Answer
Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Grand Rapids, MI
  • Licensed in Michigan

A: Without determining whether the police are right or wrong here, they are right about one practical aspect of the law: you won't win an argument about law or fact with the police on the streets; that is what courts are for.

Your first amendment right to watch the police while in public may serve as a defense to a resisting and obstructing criminal charge, but virtually to nothing else.

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