Think the law is on your side as a photographer?

If you think you are safe, just because the law states you SHOULD be, well… think again.  Taking photos in public can get you arrested:  

So, be careful when shooting in public, even if you are allowed to do so.  Remember, the police department doesn’t need to worry if you are actually breaking a law to arrest you.  They may get in trouble for false arrest after the fact, but they can still arrest you no matter what.  
And don’t take this as some sort of anti-police or anti-government blog post.  That is far from the truth.  I have met several nice and caring police officers while shooting pictures.  The story linked above even mentions that Robert Taylor had been stopped by other, normal officers in the past – ones who just asked him what he was doing and then left him alone.  
No, this merely points out that every once in a while you may be unlucky enough to run into one of the few bad apples.  The ones who don’t care much for the actual laws they uphold.  So, again… Don’t think you are safe, just because the law says you are.