Federal judge blocks enforcement of Louisiana's police buffer-zone law
A federal judge blocked enforcement of Louisiana's 25-foot police buffer-zone law, ruling that the law "has a chilling effect on Plaintiffs' First Amendment rights."1
- Country
- United States
- Where
- Louisiana, United States
- Level of government
- National
- Tactic
- Lawsuits against the press
- Outcome
- Unknown
- Era
- The 2020s
What happened
On January 31, 2025, Judge John W. deGravelles of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana blocked enforcement of the state's 25-foot police buffer-zone law, ruling that plaintiffs, including journalists and civil-rights observers, were likely to succeed on their claim that the law's distance requirement would impede non-obstructive newsgathering and chill First Amendment activity. The ruling came in response to a legal challenge arguing the law criminalized routine filming of police from a normal observational distance and gave officers broad discretion to order bystanders back regardless of whether they were actually interfering with police work. The state defended the law as a simple officer-safety measure and was reported to be pursuing an appeal of the injunction to the Fifth Circuit.123
Injunction in place; the state's appeal was reported pending as of mid-2026.3
What reason was given
Not applicable: this is a court ruling limiting the state's law, not a government justification for restricting the press.123
What changed for reporting
The injunction restored journalists' and the public's ability to film police activity at ordinary distances in Louisiana while the underlying challenge to the law proceeds.2
Timeline
2025
Who acted
| Name | Role in this incident | Office at the time |
|---|---|---|
| John W. deGravelles | ruled | Judge, U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana |
| Louisiana Legislature | defended | State legislature |
Sources
- Judge blocks enforcement of Louisiana's 25-foot buffer zone for police
- Judge blocks enforcement of Louisiana's 25-foot buffer zone for police
Claims cited
- Judge deGravelles issued the order blocking enforcement of the buffer-zone law.
The preliminary injunction will be effective while the case is pending.
Judge blocks enforcement of Louisiana's 25-foot buffer zone for police, Louisiana Illuminator, 2025-01-31. Claim 52, checked 2026-09-22. - Journalists and the public may film police from ordinary distances while the injunction remains in place.
The distance required is likely to impede Plaintiffs' non-obstructive newsgathering. … Therefore, the Act has a chilling effect on Plaintiffs' First Amendment rights.
Judge blocks enforcement of Louisiana's 25-foot buffer zone for police, Yahoo News / AP, 2025-01-31. Claim 53, checked 2026-09-22. - The block on enforcement remained in place while Louisiana pursued an appeal.
The preliminary injunction will be effective while the case is pending.
Judge blocks enforcement of Louisiana's 25-foot buffer zone for police, Louisiana Illuminator, 2025-01-31. Claim 54, checked 2026-09-22.