Federal lawsuit challenges Michigan law used to convict Bay County drone operator

Outside Legal Counsel attorney Philip Ellison says the federal case tests the limits of police authority and the public’s First Amendment right to record law enforcement.

BAY CITY, Mich. — A Bay County drone operator convicted after using a drone to record a police operation is challenging Michigan’s drone law in federal court, arguing the state cannot criminalize lawful recording of police simply because officers believe a civilian drone is interfering with their work.

Ray Rocha, who operates the Facebook-based news plat…