551 Comments
⭠ Return to thread

In GA it is legal to record a conversation/phone call without consent, as long as the person recording the call is part of the conversation. I forget what the legal term is for this. So yes it was legally recorded.

Expand full comment

It’s legal under federal law as well: “ As long as the person hitting “record” is aware and part of the conversation, recording conversations is legal under Federal law. ... It is illegal to intercept or record a conversation without at least one of the parties being aware.Sep 15, 2020

www.cflblaw.com › 2020/09 “

Expand full comment

If the recording of a conversation is legal if only one party is aware of the recording, it means it's ok to make the recording. Does it also mean the recording can be presented as evidence against the unaware party in a legal proceeding?

I think there is a difference.

Expand full comment

The other participants on the call were witnesses and can be called to testify.

Expand full comment

I think it is legal and can be used as evidence. I have never agreed with this law, but I am glad for it today!

Expand full comment

I wonder what the chances are that Trump also recorded the call?

Expand full comment

Isn’t that automatic?

Expand full comment

I can’t answer to that. Needs to be researched.

Expand full comment

From what a lawyer told me, it does hold up in court. Thank goodness, I didn’t end up needing it, but was happy to be able to get evidence.

Expand full comment

Thanks for doing the research.

Expand full comment

Federal law permits recording telephone calls and in-person conversations with the consent of at least one of the parties. See 18 U.S.C. 2511(2)(d). ... Under a one-party consent law, you can record a phone call or conversation so long as you are a party to the conversation.

From 2011 so I don't know if it still applies:

In 12 states—California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Washington—all parties involved need to consent before one of them can record the conversation.

There are some exceptions to the two-party consent rules.

Georgia

It is illegal under Georgia’s wiretapping and eavesdropping statutes to record an oral or telephone conversation without the consent of at least one party. Violations are felonies and can subject the offender to fines and/or imprisonment.

From Justia.com

link: https://www.justia.com/50-state-surveys/recording-phone-calls-and-conversations/

GA Code § 16-11-62, § 16-11-66 (definitions), § 16-11-69 (penalty)

t is illegal under Georgia’s wiretapping and eavesdropping statutes to record an oral or telephone conversation without the consent of at least one party. Violations are felonies and can subject the offender to fines and/or imprisonment.

Washington

Washington law requires the consent of all parties to legally record in-person or telephone conversations. Consent is considered obtained via a reasonably clear announcement made to all parties during the recording. Violations are considered a gross misdemeanor and can also lead to civil damages.

WA Rev Code § 9.73.030 (definition), § 9.73.080 (penalty), § 9.73.060 (civil damages)

Expand full comment

Might be the best news of the day, especially if someone acts on it.

Expand full comment

I just saw on WAPO that a Georgia election board member has called for a probe into this recorded call. I cannot access the article because I do not have a subscription.

Expand full comment

We need to support GA election board member David Worley!!!

From WAPO:

"The sole Democrat on Georgia’s state election board has reportedly urged Raffensperger to investigate possible civil and criminal violations committed by Trump during the call in which Trump ordered Raffensperger to “find” enough votes to reverse his defeat in the state. David Worley told The Washington Post that the call gave “probable cause” to believe that Trump broke Georgia’s election code, adding: “It’s a crime to solicit election fraud, and asking the secretary to change the votes is a textbook definition of election fraud.” Worley cited a specific law that makes it a crime to solicit someone else to commit election fraud in Georgia—and, according to the Post, that can be punished by as much as three years in prison.

Expand full comment

Thank you, Ellie! This is (rather sickly and sordidly) wonderful! And I like that they included Lindsey Graham as another person who tried to interfere in the GA election!

Expand full comment

What ever happened to that!?

Expand full comment

Wow! Thank you for this!

Expand full comment

I will find it, but I guess I can’t post it...?

Expand full comment

Thank you for clarifying this, Margaret. I was not happy to hear that it was recorded without all parties knowing, as that seems devious. But I'm still glad to hear that was not illegal in GA.

Expand full comment

I didn't suspect any devious intentions to the recording; I assumed BR chose to record it to protect himself from the lies Trump might tell about the conversation. As turned out to be the case.

Expand full comment

Would anyone go into a meeting with DJT without a chaperone or lawyer and a recording device?

Expand full comment

Oh, thank you for this info, Margaret! Phew!

Expand full comment

Good news! Thank you.

Expand full comment

Hooray!

Expand full comment

Phew!!

Expand full comment