Field Manual Books
Practical field manuals by a former CIA officer · calm, sourced, no gadget hype

Hidden camera laws by state

Hidden camera laws in West Virginia

The actual statute, in plain English — not a paraphrase of a paraphrase.

The statute

W. Va. Code § 61-8-28 (Criminal Invasion of Privacy)

What it prohibits

West Virginia bans knowingly creating a visual recording of another person without consent while they’re fully or partially nude, in a place or circumstance where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Knowingly displaying, distributing, or disseminating images known to have been obtained this way is also covered.

Penalty

First offense: misdemeanor, up to 1 year and/or up to $5,000 fine. Second or later offense: felony, 1 to 5 years and/or up to $10,000 fine.

This is general public information, not legal advice, verified against the statute text linked below as of this writing — legislatures amend these laws periodically (Florida renamed its own statute in 2024). If this matters for a real situation, read the current text yourself or talk to a lawyer: https://code.wvlegislature.gov/61-8-28/. Separately, recording audio of a conversation is governed by a different law (wiretap/eavesdropping statutes, which vary by state on whether one party or all parties must consent) — this page covers image/video capture only.

If you've actually found something, the statute matters less than what you do next: read the six steps here.

Cover: The Traveler's Counter-Surveillance Field Manual
The Field Manual — PDF edition

Want the full room-by-room method, not just the legal side? The complete system — every check on this site plus the ten-minute walkthrough, audio devices, your legal rights, and what to do if you find something. 47 printable pages, instant download, keep it on any device.

Skip and go straight to checkout

Prefer Kindle? $7.99 on Amazon.

Other states

WyomingWyo. Stat. § 6-4-304 (Voyeurism; Penalties) CaliforniaPenal Code § 647(j) TexasPenal Code § 21.15 (Invasive Visual Recording) New YorkPenal Law § 250.45 (Unlawful Surveillance, Second Degree) FloridaFla. Stat. § 810.145 — renamed “Digital Voyeurism” in a 2024 amendment Illinois720 ILCS 5/26-4 (Unauthorized Video Recording and Live Video Transmission) Pennsylvania18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 7507.1 (Invasion of Privacy) OhioOhio Revised Code § 2907.08 (Voyeurism)