THIS IS AN OUTRAGE:

Brian D. Kelly didn’t think he was doing anything illegal when he used his videocamera to record a Carlisle police officer during a traffic stop. Making movies is one of his hobbies, he said, and the stop was just another interesting event to film.

Now he’s worried about going to prison or being burdened with a criminal record.

Kelly, 18, of Carlisle, was arrested on a felony wiretapping charge, with a penalty of up to 7 years in state prison.

His camera and film were seized by police during the May 24 stop, he said, and he spent 26 hours in Cumberland County Prison until his mother posted her house as security for his $2,500 bail.

Kelly is charged under a state law that bars the intentional interception or recording of anyone’s oral conversation without their consent.

These guys obviously have something to hide, and I’d like to know what it is. I’ve said this before, but I’d like to see federal legislation guaranteeing the right to tape law enforcement activities in public places. With big damages and attorney fees. (Via BoingBoing).

UPDATE: Much more from Brendan Loy. And I certainly agree with this: “a DA who’d file charges in a case like this is reprehensible.” I don’t know the name of the deputy DA who’s supposed to have approved this, but I’d like to.