Legal Question in Legal Ethics in Florida
I am a free lance / amatuer photographer. I arrived on the scene of a major, several vehicle auto accident with an occupant extraction. While standing behind other spectators, out of the way of emergency personnel, I began to take pictures of the entire scene to include the extraction using a telephoto lens. More specifically, I was taking pictures of the emergency personnel in action.
As I was taking pictures a police officer walked through the crowd to me and told me I needed to stop taking pictures and leave. The major news agencies were on scene filming on the front line but nothing was said to them. I inquired of the Officer as to why she picked me out and why did I have to stop taking pictures and leave. She replied, "you are interfering with an official investigation". Although I stayed back and continued to take photos, what are my rights as a photographer?
1 Answer from Attorneys
You had the right to take photos based upon the facts as stated.