Louisiana law criminalizes approaching police under certain circumstances

Critics fear law could stop bystanders from holding police accountable by preventing them from filming officers

Critics of a new Louisiana law that makes it a crime to approach within 25ft (7.6 meters) of a police officer under certain circumstances fear the measure could hinder the public's ability to film officers - a tool that has increasingly been used to hold police accountable.

Under the law, anyone who is convicted of knowingly or intentionally" approaching an officer who is lawfully engaged in the execution of his official duties", and after being ordered to stop approaching or retreat", faces a fine up to $500, as many as 60 days in jail or both. The law was signed by Governor Jeff Landry, a Republican, on Tuesday and goes into effect on 1 August.