How to deal with this problem?
So I recently got in trouble for filming something on private property, trying to get some shots of the beach for a video, even though there was no sign or fence indicating that it was private property. I had to go to the police department for trespassing and wanted my the memory card in my camera back after being released. But they didn't approve.
Something felt off about their refusal so I contacted a lawyer and found out that, sure enough, it's illegal and against my rights to withhold my property after being cleared of charges.
So a few days later, I went back to the precinct with the lawyer and had a discussion with the commissioner and the police officer that detained me. But despite being informed of my right to see the footage, they pretty much said "Screw you, we're not doing it." and that was that.
So then we went to the next level and tried to a get a judge to look at the case, but things got even worse. The judge ended up siding with the police department, despite it clearly being against the law, and I still don't have my camera back.
So my question is: what can I, an average citizen, do about a corrupt local government without having to go all the way to the state level?