Do the police ever use the reality shows' footage to catch people who break the law on TV?

December 9, 2004 10:54 AM

I've noticed that people on reality shows do stupid illegal things sometimes. However when they show this on tv, police never seem to be nearby and they never get caught. However do the police ever use the reality shows' footage as evidence to catch these people? [slighty MI]

I remember watching the real world (no insults here), and i remember the person got really drunk and decided to drive home. Well, besides getting in a lot of trouble from the producers, nothing really happened. Why didn't the police use the footage shot to arrest this person? I'm pretty sure they got off free.

posted by EvilKenji to Law & Government (11 answers total)

In that case I doubt that footage of poor driving is enough to prove that the driver was impaired. The driver may not have been drunk at all -- the producers could have just created the impression of his/her being tanked to create a more evocative storyline.

Having worked a little bit in the "reality" world, I wouldn't believe a damn thing you see on any of those shows. Scripted shows are closer to reality, in that most stories have their basis in a writer saying "This once happened to me..."
posted by herc at 11:21 AM on December 9, 2004

That was "Real World Hawaii." I used to work with the woman (Ruthie) in question at the university newspaper. There have been examples of broadcast footage leading to criminal charges, but as Herc said, in many cases I can see several ways out for a defense lawyer, especially in the "Real World" universe.

Had Ruthie gotten into an accident, or even killed someone, after getting into that car, it'd would have been a wholly different ball of wax. Even without a criminal complaint, there's plenty of room for penalty on the civil side.

I have no doubt MTV's legal department sweated bullets over that "what if" scenario. Ruthie could have signed a million papers insisting on her responsibility for her actions, but if she was being followed around by half a dozen crewmembers documenting her every move, I personally think there was no excuse for someone not stepping in and stopping her from getting behind that wheel.
posted by pzarquon at 11:33 AM on December 9, 2004

It happens. After Real World: Philadelphia cameras captured a nightclub brawl (in which some "cast members" were apparently involved), producers turned the tapes over to police.
posted by profwhat at 11:34 AM on December 9, 2004

There was an episode of Blind Date recently which featured an accused rapist... the victim spotted him and called the cops.
posted by maledictory at 11:45 AM on December 9, 2004

Not sure if you consider 20/20 a "reality show," but I believe Jack Kevorkian is in jail now because of an assisted suicide he performed on camera for the show.
posted by revgeorge at 11:48 AM on December 9, 2004

I remember an episode of Survivor where those scrappy castaways took some coral off of a protected reef or something, and they did get busted for it after the episode aired.
posted by spilon at 11:52 AM on December 9, 2004

revgeorge: wasn't that 60 minutes?

good question EvilKenji, maybe it's more trouble than it's worth?
posted by zelphi at 11:52 AM on December 9, 2004

When MTV's "Fraternity Life" was shot at UCSC (A school that has no real greek system to speak of, btw), the cast members kidnapped and barbecued some well-liked and valuable koi from a pond. There was outcry aplenty. details.
posted by rfordh at 12:08 PM on December 9, 2004

In that case I doubt that footage of poor driving is enough to prove that the driver was impaired.

In BC you can but note they don't charge you with DUI they charge you with impaired driving. If you are weaving all over the road; crossing into other lanes; speeding up/slowing down the mounties don't really care whether it's beer, weed or sleep depravation, they just arrest/ticket you.

If nothing else I'd bet just about anywhere there is a traffic code they have laws requiring due care and attention.
posted by Mitheral at 12:10 PM on December 9, 2004

On this year's Big Brother in the UK, there was a huge brawl in the house, and viewers watching on the live feed actually called the police. Eventually, the tv network called in their security guys to break it up, but the police were involved because VIEWERS actually called them.. I don't think any charges were brought, but each of them had to be interviewed after they left the show..
posted by lemonpillows at 1:40 PM on December 9, 2004

Yes, Mitheral, they do ticket you for that in Canada (not arrest, though, unless you are a continued danger, AFAIK). I was just in court and got to watch someone plead guilty for crossing the median four times while NOT intoxicated. Details as to the drivers state weren't given, but the accused was given a summary conviction of careless driving for $250 + victim's surcharge and 3 months to pay. No other penalties were levied (including no points, specifically).

On the other hand, a similar case of median crossing came before the same judge where the driver was drunk. A $600 fine to be paid in 5 months and 1 year loss of Canadian driving privileges and license (although I do believe you get the license back sooner, it's just illegal to use it in Canada) for summary conviction of being impaired by alcohol or drugs. That's actually the minimum, because the guilty party REALLY made a good show in court of his remorse. The fact he had a full time ($40k/a) job and 2 children also helped mitigate a stronger sentence.

The judge was being overly nice that day though, considering a 4 time wife beater got only 3 years probation and drinking prohibition, plus an order to attend counselling.

So, if this person were tried for the videotape footage, without proof of drunk driving, I doubt the person need be sweating bullets.
posted by shepd at 4:20 AM on December 10, 2004