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Pennsylvania Statutes Title 18 Pa.C.S.A. Crimes and Offenses § 5773. Issuance of an order for use of certain devices

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) In general.--Upon an application made under section 5772 (relating to application for an order for use of certain devices), the court shall enter an ex parte order authorizing the disclosure of mobile communications tracking information, the installation and use of a pen register, a trap and trace device or a telecommunication identification interception device within this Commonwealth if the court finds that there is probable cause to believe that information relevant to an ongoing criminal investigation will be obtained by such installation and use on the targeted telephone. If exigent circumstances exist, the court may verbally authorize the disclosure of mobile communications tracking information, the installation and use of a pen register, a trap and trace device or a telecommunication identification interception device. The written order authorizing the disclosure must be entered within 72 hours of the court's verbal authorization.

(b) Contents of order.--An order issued under this section shall:

(1) Specify:

(i) That there is probable cause to believe that information relevant to an ongoing criminal investigation will be obtained from the targeted telephone.

(ii) The identity, if known, of the person to whom is leased or in whose name is listed the targeted telephone, or, in the case of the use of a telecommunication identification interception device, the identity, if known, of the person or persons using the targeted telephone.

(iii) The identity, if known, of the person who is the subject of the criminal investigation.

(iv) In the use of pen registers and trap and trace devices only, the physical location of the targeted telephone.

(v) A statement of the offense to which the information likely to be obtained by the pen register, trap and trace device or the telecommunication identification interception device relates.

(2) Direct, upon the request of the applicant, the furnishing of information, facilities and technical assistance necessary to accomplish the installation of the pen register under section 5771 (relating to general prohibition on use of certain devices and exception).

(3) In the case of a telecommunication identification interception device, direct that all interceptions be recorded and monitored in accordance with section 5714(a)(1) and (2) and (b) (relating to recording of intercepted communications).

(c) Time period and extensions.--

(1) An order issued under this section shall authorize the installation and use of a pen register, trap and trace device or a telecommunication identification interception device for a period not to exceed 60 days.

(2) Extensions of such an order may be granted but only upon an application for an order under section 5772 and upon the judicial finding required by subsection (a). The period of each extension shall be for a period not to exceed 30 days.

(d) Nondisclosure of existence of pen register, trap and trace device or a telecommunication identification interception device.--An order authorizing or approving the installation and use of a pen register, a trap and trace device or a telecommunication identification interception device shall direct that:

(1) The order be sealed until otherwise ordered by the court.

(2) The person owning or leasing the targeted telephone, or who has been ordered by the court to provide assistance to the applicant, not disclose the existence of the pen register, trap and trace device or telecommunication identification interception device or the existence of the investigation to the listed subscriber, or to any other person, unless or until otherwise ordered by the court.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Pennsylvania Statutes Title 18 Pa.C.S.A. Crimes and Offenses § 5773. Issuance of an order for use of certain devices - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/pa/title-18-pacsa-crimes-and-offenses/pa-csa-sect-18-5773/

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