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Texas court throws out 'upskirt' photo law
Houston Chronicle ^ | September 17, 2014

Posted on 09/20/2014 10:53:56 AM PDT by SMGFan

The state's highest criminal court on Wednesday tossed out part of a Texas law banning "improper photography or visual recording" - surreptitious images acquired in public for sexual gratification, often called "upskirting" or "downblousing" - as a violation of federal free-speech rights and an improper restriction on a person's right to individual thoughts.

In an 8-1 ruling, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals said photos, like paintings, films and books, are "inherently expressive" and, therefore, are protected by the First Amendment. The opinion supported a previous decision by the San Antonio-based 4th Court of Appeals.

Scotland rejects independence in historic referendum

"The camera is essentially the photographer's pen and paintbrush," the opinion written by Presiding Judge Sharon Keller said. "A person's purposeful creation of photographs and visual recordings is entitled to the same First Amendment protection as the photographs and visual recordings themselves.

(Excerpt) Read more at houstonchronicle.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: moralabsolutes; photography; pornification; privacyrights; texas
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Wasn't there a right to privacy? /s
1 posted on 09/20/2014 10:53:56 AM PDT by SMGFan
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To: SMGFan
Wasn't there a right to privacy?

Yes, it protects the killing of unborn babies.

2 posted on 09/20/2014 10:56:35 AM PDT by palmer (This comment is not approved or cleared by FDA)
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To: SMGFan
In an 8-1 ruling, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals said photos, like paintings, films and books, are "inherently expressive" and, therefore, are protected by the First Amendment.

I hope they will also rule that a father's/husband's/brother's fists or the girl's knee/elbow/fist/foot in response to this intrusion on privacy are also "inherently expressive". It's Texas, so they should see my point.

3 posted on 09/20/2014 10:57:26 AM PDT by Pollster1 ("Shall not be infringed" is unambiguous.)
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To: SMGFan

Note to all women in Texas, “wear your bra and panties.”


4 posted on 09/20/2014 10:58:40 AM PDT by vette6387
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Comment #5 Removed by Moderator

To: SMGFan

Not in public.


6 posted on 09/20/2014 10:58:50 AM PDT by 1rudeboy
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To: SMGFan

Common Sense is very uncommon.

This is the equivalent of a Peeping Tom.

It’s a sex crime.

These judges should be removed from the bench.

There are going to be times when a group picture is taken, or even a single picture will be taken and an upskirt shot will be captured. That isn’t the same thing.

The natural assumption of innocence covers a normal shot.

This guy clearly had devious intent.


7 posted on 09/20/2014 10:59:56 AM PDT by DoughtyOne (Obama and the Left are maggots feeding off the flesh of the United States.)
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To: FlingWingFlyer

this ruling is stupid


8 posted on 09/20/2014 11:00:00 AM PDT by GeronL (Vote for Conservatives not for Republicans)
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To: SMGFan

If you wear a skirt in public your crotch does not have a reasonable expectation of privacy?


9 posted on 09/20/2014 11:00:17 AM PDT by Reaganez
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To: SMGFan

Liberal idiot judges.


10 posted on 09/20/2014 11:05:09 AM PDT by mylife
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To: GeronL

The ‘RAT controlled “courts” are out of control. Loaded with nothing but a bunch of loons and buffoons. What a joke.


11 posted on 09/20/2014 11:05:27 AM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (Don't just stand there! Help fight political correctness!)
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To: SMGFan
A proper decision in a free country.

When walking around in public, you have no right to stop people from photographing you and your surroundings.

If you are worried about how you may appear in public, dress so that you aren't worried. You are in public.

12 posted on 09/20/2014 11:05:55 AM PDT by SaxxonWoods (....Let It Burn...)
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To: SMGFan
major award photo: Leg Lamp Award leglampmajoraward.jpg

Problem was the law covered major awards too.

13 posted on 09/20/2014 11:06:21 AM PDT by Snickering Hound
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To: SaxxonWoods

That’s exactly right. Your expectations of privacy go out the window once you’re in public.


14 posted on 09/20/2014 11:07:55 AM PDT by Alberta's Child ("What in the wide, wide world of sports is goin' on here?")
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Comment #15 Removed by Moderator

To: SMGFan

Fair is fair. Set up cameras in Austin and Houston to snap uptent photos of muslimettes and post them anonymously on the internet.


16 posted on 09/20/2014 11:08:21 AM PDT by fso301
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To: SMGFan

Because a camera is a way of expressing oneself, these people think that it’s ok to use it for taking illegal pictures. Following their logic, if a gun is for shooting, no one could be accused of murder by gun.


17 posted on 09/20/2014 11:08:37 AM PDT by kitkat (STORM HEAVEN WITH PRAYERS FOR OUR COUNTRY)
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To: SaxxonWoods

So now women can’t wear a dress in public?

Are you aware that some men walk around with devices (mirrors) to capture up-skirt shots?

You think that should be protected under the First Amendment?

Yikes!


18 posted on 09/20/2014 11:09:15 AM PDT by DoughtyOne (Obama and the Left are maggots feeding off the flesh of the United States.)
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To: Pollster1
I hope they will also rule that a father's/husband's/brother's fists or the girl's knee/elbow/fist/foot in response to this intrusion on privacy are also "inherently expressive".

There was more wisdom in the old days when "Gentleman" did not necessarily mean gentle, but did mean proper.

19 posted on 09/20/2014 11:09:40 AM PDT by Navy Patriot (America, a Rule of Mob nation)
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To: SaxxonWoods

How does a woman dress to block a camera hidden on a shoe or a cane tip?


20 posted on 09/20/2014 11:09:42 AM PDT by ansel12
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