With so much great technology on the market these days, it is easier to
record conversations than ever before, either over a land line, on a mobile
phone or even in-person with a hidden recording device.
Recorded
conversations (either tape or digital) are often very helpful in a variety of
scenarios. These audio recordings may assist in an investigation of employee
misconduct or in business or personal lawsuits, even in potential criminal
investigations.
It is very important, however, to make sure that any
recording, either of a phone conversation or an in-person conversation, complies
with federal and state laws. Otherwise, you may very well open yourself up to
criminal charges or civil suits. And it is unlikely that you will be legally
able to use the recording for your original purpose.
So, if you're
thinking about recording some phone calls or placing a voice activated recorder
in a room to record conversations, you'll need to take a look at the applicable
laws.