Legal Question in Criminal Law in Florida

I have surveillance cameras outside of my house. One camera points down a public street that has had much possible drug activity at one particular house for almost a year. I live on a perpendicular street so I can not see this house only the mail box and driveway entrance but the street has a small curve in it and this house is at that curve. Because the curve is to the right I see more of the driveways of the houses further down the street and at the end of the street I can see the front of one house. I and many of my neighbors have made calls to Saint Petersburg police about this house. Last week I was talking to a local officer that patrols my area and ask about turning some of the video over to the drug unit to try and get something done about this problem. He told me that it might get some action and he gave me the name of an officer on the drug unit to get the videos to. I have assisted the police department 2 other times with video about other crimes around my neighborhood and never have a problem. Posted on my property are signs that says 24 hour video surveillance, crime watch area and that all suspicious activity are recorded and will be reported to local authorities. The videos would show a person pull up to the driveway entrance of this house and person or persons getting out of the car but as I said before I can not see the front of the house in question. This happens 5 to 10 times a day and with different people. I am now concered that I could get into trouble for turning in these videos and listining to my local officers advice.


Asked on 7/05/12, 5:47 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Craig Epifanio Craig Epifanio, P.A.

Two reasons you don't have to worry about it. First, I'm sure you documented when you talked to the police and that they requested the video. Second, you are taking video where people don't have an expectation of privacy. It might be different, if you were taking video inside a public restroom stall where people do expect privacy but not a public street and your outside property.

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Answered on 7/05/12, 8:52 am


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