Kanye and Kim West Could Face Legal Consequences for Recording Taylor Swift

According to Fox News and Mashable, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West could face criminal charges for recording Taylor Swift without her knowledge. Experienced criminal defense attorney Paul Wallin explains the California law.

Los Angeles, United States – July 20, 2016 /PressCable/ —

Kim Kardashian West posted a series of videos on Snapchat featuring a phone conversation between her husband Kanye West and singer Taylor Swift, according to Fox News.

The internet erupted over the latest chapter of the long-standing “feud” between Kanye and Swift, but many were left to wonder if recording the calls seemingly without Swift’s consent was a legal issue that could land West in jail.

California Law states that all participants of a call must be aware and consent to the recording for it to legal. The recording was allegedly made by Kanye West in a recording studio in Los Angeles, according to Fox News.

Paul Wallin, Senior Partner at leading California criminal defense firm Wallin & Klarich, A Law Corporation, spoke to Mashable and Fox News about the potential legal issues regarding the recorded phone conversation. It’s pretty simple. If someone in California records a conversation which is intended to be confidential … without the permission of the other party, they are subject to being prosecuted for a misdemeanor,” Attorney Wallin told Mashable.

“In this case, of course, someone with Taylor Swift’s reputation, if it’s adverse to her reputation, the damages can be astronomical. [For] someone who has a lot to lose from negative publicity [damages] could be very very high,” Attorney Wallin told Fox News.

Attorney Wallin explained that Taylor Swift would likely have to press charges for law the criminal court to get involved. “It’s very unlikely that law enforcement would want to get involved in something like this if the victim didn’t want prosecution,” he said.

One of the parties in this case, most likely Kim Kardashian West, could potentially face charges of eavesdropping under California Penal Code Section 632 if criminal action is pursued. According to Attorney Wallin, this is a wobbler offense, meaning it could be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. The maximum penalty for felony eavesdropping in California is up to three years in county jail and a $2,500 fine.

Attorney Wallin is available for comment regarding the legal issues surrounding Kanye West, Kim Kardashian West and Taylor Swift. Please contact Wallin & Klarich, A Law Corporation at (714) 730-5300 or https://www.wklaw.com/ for quotes from Attorney Paul J. Wallin.

For more information, please visit https://www.wklaw.com

Contact Info:
Name: Paul J. Wallin
Organization: Wallin & Klarich, A Law Corporation
Address: 17592 Irvine Blvd. Tustin, CA 92780
Phone: 7147305300

Release ID: 124223