Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has signed legislation making it a crime to knowingly approach within 25 feet of a police officer while they are “engaged in law enforcement duties” after the officer has ordered the person to stay back.

Critics of a new Louisiana law, which makes it a crime to approach within 25 feet (7.6 meters) of a police officer under certain circumstances, fear that the measure could hinder the public’s ability to film officers — a tool that has increasingly been used to hold police accountable.

Under the law, anyone who is convicted of “knowingly or intentionally” approaching an officer, who is “lawfully engaged in the execution of his official duties,” and after being ordered to “stop approaching or retreat” faces up to a $500 fine, up to 60 days in jail or both. The law was signed by Gov. Jeff Landry, a Republican, Tuesday and goes into effect Aug. 1.

  • EbbyA
    1•29 days ago

    Interesting take. I didn’t read it that way. If you are the epicenter, you would always be withing the 25’ circle. Hmmm

    Edit: based on the article, it doesn’t sound like this would apply. The law mentions approaching an officer, implying the bystander began away from but on a vector moving towards the location.

    But I’m no lawyer.