FORT LAUDERDALE — Before you fire up your smart phone to record potential misconduct by a Florida police officer in public know this: it could land you behind bars.

A recent divided Florida appeals court ruling in early May 2021 upheld the arrest of a woman who recorded officers outside a Palm Beach County movie theater.

The decision in a Boynton Beach case comes amid the nation’s racial justice awakening, after deadly police encounters with Black citizens were caught on camera. And it leaves open the question of whether a person recording George Floyd’s murder could have been arrested in Florida.

Chauvin's conviction for killing George Floyd was possible bc of Darnella Frazier recording his death! But had it happened in FL, due to a new court ruling, FRAZIER could have been arrested! It's essential that citizens can film police for transparency! https://t.co/ZauZuxc88B

— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) May 7, 2021

Officers had the authority to arrest a young mother named Tasha Ford who recorded them detaining her teenage son in 2009, based on a 2-1 opinion by judges at the 4th District Court of Appeal.