NCJ Number
98312
Date Published
1985
Length
134 pages
Annotation
This report explains the reporting requirements of the Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance provisions of Title III of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 and provides data on applications received in 1984 for orders authorizing or approving the interception of wire or oral communications.
Abstract
The law requires each Federal and State judge to file a written report with the Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts on each application for an order authorizing the interception of a wire or oral communication. Title 18 U.S.C. Section 2519(1) requires this report to be furnished within 30 days of the denial or expiration of the court order. This report must include the name of the applicant, the offense under investigation, the type of interception device, the location of the device, and the duration of the authorized intercept. Additionally, Title 18 U.S.C. provides for the authorization of electronic surveillance when an emergency situation exists that involves 'immediate danger of death or serious injury to any person.' A total of 31 jurisdictions have laws which authorize courts to issue orders permitting wiretapping and electronic surveillance. During 1984, 24 jurisdictions used electronic surveillance as a tool to investigate criminal activity. The 289 applications granted by Federal judges in 1984 represents a 38.9 percent increase over those granted in 1983. More than 60 percent of the authorized wiretaps were related to narcotics. Additionally, over 40 percent of all wiretap authorizations approved by State judges occurred in New York, New Jersey, and Florida. Data are highlighted in 9 tables and in 4 appended statistical tables.