My 9/11 story is a victory story.
Twelve years ago, I won a landmark First Amendment case: Gericke v. Begin.
After police in Weare, New Hampshire charged me with felony wiretapping for filming a late-night traffic stop, the First Circuit affirmed what should never have been in doubt:
You have a First Amendment right to record police performing their public duties--including during a traffic stop.
And here’s the part every public official should internalize: the court denied the officers qualified immunity.
That means an officer who retaliates against you for lawfully recording may be held personally liable--meaning they can't just hide behind the town or department or taxpayers anymore.
Shiny badges don’t grant extra rights.
They should come with extra accountability.
Film the police.
Know your rights.
Use them--or lose them.