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Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Accused of Violating Reporter's Rights

By Walin & Klarich

The Los Angeles County Sheriff?s Department is facing accusations of violating a reporter?s rights for its investigation into TMZ founder Harvey Levin?s sources. Levin?s phone records were obtained by the sheriff as part of an investigation into who leaked information over Mel Gibson?s arrest for drunk driving to TMZ back in 2006. Many media law experts argue that such action is illegal as state and federal law protects a reporter?s sources. Despite these accusations, the Los Angeles County Sheriff?s Department denies any intentional wrongdoing. They point out that they consulted with a prosecutor before requesting the search warrant for the phone records and that the warrant was approved by a judge. Journalism groups and media law experts, however, argue that government investigation into a reporter?s sources threatens the press?s independence as people may then feel reluctant to provide information...continue to full post

Full post as published by Southern California Criminal Defense Blog on December 30, 2009 (boomark / email).