New Jersey Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Control Act

New Jersey · Administration of Civil and Criminal Justice · §§ 2A:156A-1 to 2A:156A-9 · 38 sections

Overview

The act governs the interception of wire, electronic, and oral communications and the handling of stored communications and related records. It generally prohibits intercepting, disclosing, or using such communications and restricts the possession, sale, manufacture, and advertisement of interception devices, subject to enumerated exceptions, while establishing a judicial authorization process for law enforcement interception — application requirements, grounds for an order, target-specific and emergency procedures, recording and sealing of intercepted material, notice to persons whose communications were intercepted, and reporting by issuing judges and prosecuting officials. It further sets conditions for governmental access to stored communications, including subpoenas, backup preservation, delayed notice, and cost reimbursement, and provides civil remedies, injunctive relief, and removal from office or employment for unlawful interception, disclosure, or use.

Editorial summary generated from the text of this act. It is not part of the statute — read the sections below for the operative language.

In the courts

Sections of this act have been cited in 11 court decisions.

Most-cited authority: 221 W. Va. 70 - State v. Mullens

Sections covered

N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-1Short title2 cites
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-10Consideration of application; basis of order
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-11Orders affecting public and certain private communication facilities; privileged communications
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-12Order; contents; limitations; extensions; renewals; progress reports; assistance of providers; point of execution2 cites
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-13Verbal approval for emergency interception
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-14Recording, transfer, custody of tapes
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-15Sealing of applications, orders and supporting papers; destruction; disclosure of contents; violations
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-16Service, contents of inventory
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-17Disclosure of intercepted communications
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-18Disclosure of intercepted communications relating to other offenses
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-19Unlawful use, disclosure, third degree crime
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-2Definitions1 cite
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-20Disclosure of contents of intercepted communications at trial, proceeding
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-21Action to suppress contents of intercepted communications
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-22Report by issuing or denying judge to Administrative Director of courts; contents
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-23Annual reports of Superior Court, Supreme Court and attorney general; records of attorney general and county prosecutors
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-24Civil action for damages, attorney's fee by persons whose communications are intercepted unlawfully2 cites
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-25Good faith reliance on court order as defense
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-26Partial invalidity
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-27Unlawful access to stored communications
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-28Disclosure of contents
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-29Requirements for access
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-3Interception, disclosure, use of wire, electronic, oral communication; violation
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-30Backup preservation
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-31Cost reimbursement
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-32Civil action
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-33Defense to civil, criminal action
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-34Exclusivity of remedies
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-35Definitions relative to certain counter-terrorism investigations
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-36Notification required relative to certain counter-terrorism activities
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-37Violation of notification requirement; injunction
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-4Lawful interception activities; exceptions2 cites
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-4.1Interception of wire, electronic communications, certain; permitted
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-5Possession, sale, distribution, manufacture, or advertisement of intercepting devices; violation
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-6Lawful activities concerning devices
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-7Seizure, forfeiture of unlawful device
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-8Authorization for application for order to intercept communications1 cite
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:156A-9Contents of application1 cite

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