Natick, MA makes strides in the area of subjective law enforcement.
A few weeks ago, a Mr. Chi Quang Truong had the misfortune to discover the city of Natick, MA considers use of an audio recording device [such as any cell phone capable of voice memos (or calling voicemail)] sufficient for being charged with "possessing a device for wiretapping". In his case, it was a cheap Olympus digital voice recorder.
They were likely piling on charge after deciding to accuse him of resisting a valid arrest (long story), but this one charge steps through a scary door in the realm of subjective law enforcement. Imagine if it stands: they can arrest for carrying a cell phone, tape recorder, VCR or even a laptop computer. These are crazy extremes, but Mr Troung was charged with criminal possession of a digital voice recorder; it's already crazy.
They were likely piling on charge after deciding to accuse him of resisting a valid arrest (long story), but this one charge steps through a scary door in the realm of subjective law enforcement. Imagine if it stands: they can arrest for carrying a cell phone, tape recorder, VCR or even a laptop computer. These are crazy extremes, but Mr Troung was charged with criminal possession of a digital voice recorder; it's already crazy.