C. A Call to Arms

“If we desire respect for the law we must first make the law respectable.”

- Louis D. Brandeis

The simplest and most effective means of completing this herculean task is to divide it among the many. Conscientious law students have a natural affinity with organizations like the ACLU and Copwatch, but we have a unique position and role to play in aiding the effort. There are law schools in nearly every major city in the United States, which gives a great numbers of students access to a majority of the nation's population. Further, for those with even minimal training in legal research, it is exceedingly simple to determine the legality of recording officers in any given jurisdiction and whether local law enforcement has acknowledged the situation. While that information is present in this Note and current through its drafting, it is regularly being liberalized further in favor of First Amendment privileges. We must disseminate that information through all means at our disposal, the simplest being to post and distribute flyers and pamphlets. In the Spring of 2013, members of the Georgetown Journal on Poverty Law and Policy will distribute a flyer detailing the legality of recording police in Washington, D.C. and suggesting means of pursuing misconduct charges; however, the students will caution that doing so may result in meritless arrest and incarceration. Efforts will be targeted at high crime neighborhoods. Further, the author will contact each of the seven police districts in the city to ensure that commanding officers are likewise aware of the situation and have informed their subordinates. Similar actions must be taken in cities across the country.