Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Massachusetts Lawmakers Racing To Make Upskirt Photos Illegal
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 6, 2014
Modified Mar 6, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Mar 6, 2014
Modified Mar 6, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Yesterday, Massachusetts' highest court made the stunning ruling that upskirt photographs are totally legal—and overturned the conviction of a man who was taking upskirt pictures on the T. So now the Legislature is trying to change the law.
The AP reports, "House Speaker Robert DeLeo said lawmakers are racing to get a bill to Gov. Deval Patrick’s desk as soon as the end of the day. DeLeo said he thought the state’s existing laws were sufficient to prosecute those who took 'upskirt’' photos."
Even though prosecutors had argued that people have a "right to privacy beneath his or her own clothes," unfortunately, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court found, "A female passenger on a MBTA trolley who is wearing a skirt, dress, or the like covering these parts of her body is not a person who is ‘partially nude,’ no matter what is or is not underneath the skirt by way of underwear or other clothing... [State law] does not apply to photographing (or videotaping or electronically surveilling) persons who are fully clothed and, in particular, does not reach the type of upskirting that the defendant is charged with attempting to accomplish on the MBTA."
The law is being proposed without a public hearing. Why? DeLeo said, "It’s something which appalls us greatly. We’re outraged by what has occurred and we want to make sure that these types of action are dealt with in our court system and dealt with swiftly."
Tagged
Massachusetts
pervert
upskirt
upskirt photo
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Gatorade recall affects drinks sold in New York and New Jersey
More than 122,000 cases are being recalled over undeclared food dyes.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 5, 2026 at 4:36 p.m. ET
Gov. Hochul declares upstate NY measles outbreak a ‘disaster emergency’
The declaration is driven by rising case counts in rural areas and in neighboring Pennsylvania.
By
Caroline Lewis
News
Gov. Hochul declares upstate NY measles outbreak a ‘disaster emergency’
The declaration is driven by rising case counts in rural areas and in neighboring Pennsylvania.
By
Caroline Lewis
NYPD detective forced to retire after false statements in Brooklyn investigation
By
Charles Lane
Mamdani faces pressure to forge ahead with plan to fix polluting South Bronx market
By
Elizabeth Kim
Dominican man who shot border patrol officer in NYC sentenced to 15 years in prison
By
Samantha Max
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .