backBrazil’s Superior Court of Justice (STJ) ruled that evidence obtained through surveillance cameras installed in public areas without judicial court order is invalid. Justice Daniela Teixeira nullified evidence against a drug trafficking suspect in Palhoça (SC) after the defense argued a breach of the chain of custody. Police had placed a camera facing the suspect’s residence but refused to submit it for forensic analysis, claiming the footage had been overwritten.
In her decision, the judge emphasized that the device was not used for public safety or traffic monitoring but was specifically deployed for the suspect’s investigation, making it illegal without prior judicial approval. This ruling reinforces the requirement for judicial authorization when using cameras to surveil suspects, ensuring the legality of evidence in criminal proceedings.
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