Charges against a woman who recorded Chicago Police investigators without their knowledge were dismissed.

The woman never denied recording the police officers on her smartphone but told the jury that the reason she did so was because she felt the Chicago Police investigators were pressuring her to drop her complaint against another officer.

The officer against whom the woman was filing a complaint had made advances toward her while responding to a domestic battery call against the woman’s boyfriend.

The woman was charged under the Illinois Eavesdropping Act which makes it illegal to record any conversation without the permission of all parties involved in the conversation. Illinois is one of a handful of states which still have eavesdropping laws. Most states have recognized that recording conversations or the actions of law enforcement officers on video as a powerful too to protect the public against unlawful actions disguised as law enforcement actions.

Continuing with the momentum of the victory, the American Civil Liberties Union has challenged the eavesdropping law in federal court.

Purav Bhatt is a criminal defense attorney practicing in Cook, DuPage, Lake and Will counties. He is located in Lincolnwood, Illinois near most Chicago and suburban courthouses including: Skokie, Maywood and Rolling Meadows.

If you or a loved on has been arrested for a criminal offense please contact Mr. Bhatt at 773-791-9682 to discuss your matter.