Transparency and accountability are big topics in today’s society, and body cameras are an excellent tool to put these concepts into practice. Law enforcement use body cameras nationwide to provide an undeniable record of their interactions with the public and each other. But would it be advantageous, or even legal, for others who provide auxiliary legal services in Florida to also use body cameras? Well, there are a few things to consider:
Video
It is generally legal to video in Florida as long as you’re not videoing in an area with an expectation of privacy, such as a bathroom or fitting room. This means when a process server is out in the community searching for their process recipient, they could record videos of the vast majority of their day.
Audio
Florida is a “two-party” consent state, meaning that all parties that are involved in recorded audio must be fully aware that they are being recorded. This means you cannot just record a conversation with someone on the phone or even in public without telling them first that they are being recorded. Recording audio of someone without their consent is a 3rd-degree felony in Florida.
Key Takeaways
So how could Florida process servers use body cameras in a legal way? Simply turn off the audio recording feature and be sure to stop video recording when they enter somewhere where video is prohibited. In most places, they should be fine to record video. Using a body camera can protect a process server if they were falsely accused of a crime or misdoing by a disgruntled process recipient. Just the presence of the body camera may also deter some people from reacting violently to the server. In our opinion, body cameras are another valuable resource process servers can use to make their jobs safer and more transparent.
Process Servers in Pensacola
If you’re in the Pensacola area and need a reliable process server, you’re in the right place. Our servers are knowledgeable, professional, and will work to get your case handled quickly. Give us a call at (850) 264-2917 or send us a work request online to get started today.
