firstamendment

Media Access to Federal Disaster Scenes Q: We have been having difficulty getting access to photographing firefighting efforts on a National Forest within the state for a wildfire.  U.S. Forest Service personnel suggest that California Penal Code 409.5 doesn’t apply to federal employees or federal land.   They also refuse to allow media through road blocks on county roads leading to National Forest, saying that doing so would endanger their firefighters. Are they legally able to

Audio Recording, Meetings Q: Is it legal in California for a homeowner to secretly tape a HOA meeting. What rights do I have as a homeowner when I find that I have unknowingly been taped of my comments as a homeowner at a monthly HOA meeting? Does any homeowner have the right to tape without disclosure? Does the Board have the right to negate the use of audio recordings? A: Although I cannot advise you

Potential Eavesdropping, Amplifying Speakerphone Q: Does Penal Code section 632 (a) include a speakerphone conversation in the definition of “electronic amplifying”? I use speakerphone while working on the computer, however none of my conversations are considered confidential. A: I believe you want to know whether listening to another’s conversation amplified through a speakerphone could be the basis for a violation of Penal Code Section 632(a).  The answer would depend on the particular facts of the