Can My Neighbors Camera Legally Be Directed Towards My Property?
The advent of affordable digital security systems has certainly raised issues in regards to privacy. Your neighbor has the legal right to install cameras to protect their home. Does that take precedence over your privacy rights?
Whether a security camera’s placement is a privacy violation depends on what’s in its field of view. If your neighbors camera is set up to see inside a bedroom or bathroom window, that is more likely than not a privacy violation.
Things get a little more complicated with backyards. Exact laws vary by jurisdiction. A good barometer for the legality of a camera’s field of view is this: if someone couldn’t see the area without trespassing or using special equipment, it’s likely considered a private space.
When you first spot a new camera installed by a neighbor, try not to overreact. First, do your best to confirm that the camera’s field of view includes angles that appear to violate your privacy. If it does, a courtroom shouldn’t be your next step. Instead, try a friendly conversation with your neighbor. They may not realize the camera is encroaching on your private space or that it would be a problem. Something as simple as a chat might solve the issue.
If that doesn’t work, other avenues are still available besides legal options. You can try to block the camera’s view, either by putting up a solid fence or installing landscaping with obscuring plants. Make sure anything you plant is on your side of the property line. This also bolsters your position if litigation becomes necessary, as anything placed to block sightlines to your property increases your expectation of privacy.
Despite your best efforts, you may not be able to reach a solution without involving the courts. To prepare, document the camera’s angle and what it shows. Take pictures of the property line between the two dwellings.
You could seek an injunction for invasion of privacy and intrusion. Some jurisdictions offer formal mediation as a resolution option, which means you and the neighbor will try to reach an equitable agreement with the help of a neutral third party.
In addition to what you may have to do, there are things you should absolutely not do. Don’t threaten your neighbor in any way. As much as the camera may impact you, don’t do anything that could harm it.
If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of a criminal charge, immediately contact a Seattle Criminal Attorney. A Criminal lawyer is not going to judge you, and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle Criminal Lawyer to help can – at a minimum – reduce penalties, and can help direct people on how to best deal with their criminal charge, and many times even get them dismissed. So it should go without saying that someone cited for a misdemeanor or felony should hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Lawyer as soon as possible. Criminal charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with a crime in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle Criminal Lawyer.