Massachusetts' highest court has ruled "upskirt," or up-the-skirt, photos are perfectly legal. Wait, what?
CNN explains 32-year-old Michael Robertson, of Andover, Mass., was arrested four years ago and accused of using his cell to take pictures up women's skirts. He was charged with:
"... two counts of attempting to secretly photograph a person in a state of partial nudity. Police observed him point a cell phone video camera up the dress of a female officer, court documents state."
The Wednesday ruling by the higher court reversed the previous decision that denied a dismissal of the case. WBZ-TV reports prosecutors say the only way to fix the "freelance" photography is a new law.
Existing laws in the state protect people from being snapped in dressing rooms or in the restroom. However, clothed people are not considered partially nude, and therefore, the pics seem to be perfectly legal. (Via WUSA)
The Boston Globe reports prosecutors tried to argue women on public transit, have a quote "reasonable expectation of privacy." They also said a person should have the right to privacy beneath their own clothing.
WCVB says the court didn't like the decision, but its hands are tied.
"The high court admits it's a legal loophole, but one that needs to be fixed by lawmakers. In fact, there's already an online petition calling on lawmakers to quickly remake the law."
And as of Thursday morning, that petition was nearing 830 supporters, with many commenters calling what was happening an invasion of privacy.
Upskirting is illegal in other states like New York and Florida.
See more at newsy.com.
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