Citizen, thanks for the information! The differences between custodial arrests and detentions, etc aren't exactly things I'm intimately familiar with, nor do I want to be, at least firsthand, I'm sure you can understand that. Regarding timing with starting and stopping recording, etc, I suppose it just comes with practice as you've stated in not so many words. Time will tell how well that goes. That does however bring me to another relevant question...
Are there any forum posts regarding suggested video or audio recording devices that are ideal for OC usage..? I've searched a bit and sadly my search-fu is weak.
There are a number of threads. You might try search terms "voice recorder" "olympus" and "panasonic".
I don't think there is anything that is ideal for OC. I am convinced it really depends on your budget and exactly how you plan to carry it.
For example, there are a few out there modestly priced at WalMart and Best Buy for around $40-60. Some cost more if they have more hours of recording capacity, and have more bells and whistles.
For example, some OCers prefer to carry theirs on a lanyard around their neck, and down inside their shirt. (Just watch for the heartbeat to show up on the recording.)
For example, where I carry mine, a few recorders were out because it was too obvious it was a recorder.
Also, you'll want to note the position of the switches. Where I carry mine and its orientation in the pocket, ruled out a few because the switches required too much twisting and inverting to turn it on.
So, you will want to figure out where and how you will carry it. And, then imagine the hand motions and so forth required to get it out of there, turn on the recording function (two steps for most--one to activate the unit, one to activate the record function, rather than say the playback function), and then put it away again before the cop gets right up to you.
Make a note of this next point. It is really, really helpful if the recorder uses mp3 software and has a USB jack so you can upload to the computer and internet. My first didn't, because I couldn't afford the cost of the recorders with those features. After needing to upload a recording to my computer, I really, really appreciated the utility of mp3 and a USB port on the recorder. If you can afford the ones that come with it, get those features.
Some guys just use the recording feature on the smart phones.
Some guys just start recording when they leave the house, and record the entire outing, and delete when they get home. I tried that, and found I ate batteries at an expensive rate. While I suppose rechargeable batteries would mostly solve that problem, I personally didn't head in that direction for fiscal reasons. Also, you will want to be real familiar with the wiretapping laws in your state. The recorder will record everything in ear-shot. Even if you are not party to it. In theory, this might be a felony if the state requires consent to intercepting a conversation in public, say at a cash register where you are the next in line and record the conversation between the cashier and the customer he's ringing up. Some will say there is no expectation of privacy in public. While true generally, I wouldn't want to be the test case, or try to get out from under an improper criminal charge because the cop or prosecutor didn't know about the privacy-in-public angle.
Good luck on the hunt for a voice-recorder. Take your time and get it right the first time. You'll be glad you did. Its kinda like buying holsters. The more thought you put into the front end, the more likely you won't accumulate holsters you don't like or don't use.
