Port Saint Lucie, FL asked in Copyright, Criminal Law and Libel & Slander for Florida

Q: Road Rager - Florida - Positing it online

I had to deal with a brake checker (road rager). Captured it on my dashcam. I contacted the police, but they weren't interested. So I want to post it online to Youtube. In this video, I want to include the person's face along with their license plate (both still images added into the video). I use the video to manually capture photos and then insert that into the video. Everything was captured outside on the highway. In the state of Florida. No Audio just video and photos.

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered

A: When sharing footage of another driver’s behavior, it’s important to consider both legal and ethical implications. Displaying someone’s face and license plate can raise privacy concerns, even if the incident occurred in a public space like a highway. Florida law allows for recording in public areas, but using that footage to identify and potentially shame someone might lead to defamation claims if the content is perceived as harmful or false.

Before posting, think about the purpose of sharing the video. If your intent is to raise awareness about road safety, ensure that the content is factual and not misleading. Avoid making any defamatory statements or assumptions about the other driver’s character. Including only the necessary footage without additional commentary can help minimize potential legal risks.

It might also be helpful to consult with a legal professional to understand the specific laws in Florida regarding libel and slander. Additionally, review YouTube’s community guidelines to ensure your video complies with their policies on harassment and privacy. Taking these steps can help protect you from potential legal issues while addressing the behavior you encountered.

1 user found this answer helpful

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.