NCJ Number
92376
Date Published
1983
Length
51 pages
Annotation
A survey of the use of electronic surveillance in law enforcement investigations in New Jersey between l977-82 demonstrates the effectiveness of this tool in combating organized crime.
Abstract
New Jersey's Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Control Act, passed in l978, has been renewed three times and is effective through l988. Five hundred criminal investigations used electronic surveillance from 1977-82, with most of the investigations being conducted by the county prosecutor's office. Approximately 92 percent of these investigations involved gambling or controlled substances. Although these investigations represented a small part of total investigations, 90 percent resulted in at least one defendant indicted on a criminal charge. During the study period, 2,518 defendants were indicted as a result of electronic surveillance, and 81 percent of these defendants whose cases reached final disposition were convicted. This effective tool should be used to create inroads into and disruption of organized crime and conspiracies. The report highlights significant investigations made possible by electronic surveillance.