Top

Is Secret Videotaping An Invasion Of Privacy?

Man Allegedly Secretly Videotaped Women in Ellicott City Home

On October 18, 2012, Howard County Police arrested a Columbia man and charged him with secretly videotaping two women inside the bedrooms and bathroom of their Ellicott City condominium, The Baltimore Sun reported. According to the police department, Michael Stephen McKenny, 42, of 10338 Hickory Ridge Road, was charged with multiple counts of burglary, visual surveillance with prurient intent and videotaping a person in a private residence without consent.

Howard County police released video clips of the unknown suspect whose image was captured on a video camera he had hidden in a private residence to secretly record the two women in their bedrooms and bathroom. The women discovered the concealed video camera and turned it over to police. These allegations, if true, constitute a gross invasion of privacy, and the wrongdoer may be held responsible for any harm it caused.

Invasion of Privacy Law: What is Invasion of Privacy?

Under the law, a person can be liable for invasion of another person’s privacy and the resulting harm where the following requirements are met:

  • The accused
  • Intentionally
  • Intrudes, physically or otherwise
  • Upon the solitude or seclusion of another

A person can also be held responsible for giving publicity to another person’s private life, if the following is established:

  • The accused
  • Gives publicity to
  • A matter concerning the private life of the victim
  • If the matter publicized is of a kind that (1) would be highly offensive to a reasonable person, and (2) is not of legitimate concern to the public.

Top-Rated Howard County and Maryland Invasion of Privacy Lawyer

Jonathan Scott Smith is a top-rated personal injury lawyer, with over 30 years of courtroom experience. As you can see by his background, Mr. Smith is an experienced, respected, and credentialed trial attorney. He has successfully handled a wide variety of cases, including invasion of privacy and defamation cases, for over three decades. He fights hard for his clients. That’s why many satisfied clients think so highly of him.

Mr. Smith’s extensive trial experience — and track record of successful results in personal injury and other cases — has earned him the recognition of his peers, with an AV® Preeminent™* Peer Review Rating in the Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating process, and a 10.0 Superb AVVO rating. These are the highest ratings possible for legal skill, ethical practice, a lawyer’s years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements and industry recognition.

Contact an Invasion of Privacy Attorney If you or a loved one has been the victim of invasion of privacy, Jonathan Scott Smith will help guide you through this tragedy ordeal, and help you obtain justice and closure. Call (410) 441-5054 now, or fill out our intake form, to schedule a consultation.