Mead v. State

An arson victim taped a phone conversation with an acquaintance who was the primary suspect for a crime. We hold that a law enforcement officer’s verbal authorization to the victim to tape any such phone conversation was sufficient to render the victim’s “interception” of the phone communication lawful under section 934.03, Florida Statutes (2006).

The state charged Paul Mead with burglary of a dwelling and arson, arising from a 2006 house fire. Shortly after the fire, the owner of the house was interviewed by Lieutenant Richard Schuler, a supervisor with the State Fire Marshal’s Office.…