Does the press or police department need my permission to release my name?
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Does the press or police department need my permission to release my name?
I am being charged with destruction of property. I told the detectives Iwould give a statement if they promise my name won’t be released in the paper. Yet less than a week later both my name and picture and statement are on the news and the internet. Do they have the right to do this?
Asked on March 10, 2012 under Criminal Law, Wisconsin
Answers:
Kevin Bessant / Law Office of Kevin Bessant & Associates
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
The press and local media outlets have the right to print and publish criminal acts and investigations under the Freedom of Information Act. This Act allows the media to obtain criminal information from the police and release the names of the individuals involved, such as information obtained from a police blotter. While there are certain limitations in what can be printed such the name of a suspect if that suspect is a juvenile, most information can be printed in the press and your name can be released.
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