TITLE 11

Crimes and Criminal Procedure

Criminal Procedure Generally

CHAPTER 24. Wiretapping, Electronic Surveillance and Interception of Communications

Subchapter III. Pen Traces and Trap and Trace Devices

§ 2430. Definition of “court of competent jurisdiction”.

When used in § 2431, § 2432, § 2433 or § 2434, “court of competent jurisdiction” means the Superior Court of this State.

72 Del. Laws, c. 232, §  1

§ 2431. Installation and use generally.

(a) Court order required. — Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a person may not install or use a pen register or a trap and trace device without first obtaining a court order under § 2433 of this title.

(b) Exceptions. — Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to the use of a pen register or a trap and trace device by a provider of wire or electronic communication service:

(1) Relating to the operation, maintenance and testing of a wire or electronic service or to the protection of the rights or property of the provider, or to the protection of users of that service from abuse of service or unlawful use of service; or

(2) To record the fact that a wire or electronic communication was initiated or completed in order to protect the provider, another provider furnishing service toward the completion of the wire communication, or a user of that service from fraudulent, unlawful or abusive use of this service, or with the consent of the user of that service.

(c) Penalties. — A person who violates subsection (a) of this section shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor and be fined not more than $5,000.

72 Del. Laws, c. 232, §  1

§ 2432. Application for order to install and use.

(a) General provisions. — An investigative or law-enforcement officer may make application for an order or an extension of an order under § 2433 of this title authorizing or approving the installation and use of a pen register or a trap and trace device, in writing, under oath or equivalent affirmation, to a court of competent jurisdiction of this State.

(b) Contents of application. — An application under subsection (a) of this section shall include:

(1) The identity of the law-enforcement or investigative officer making the application and the identity of the law-enforcement agency conducting the investigation; and

(2) A statement under oath by the applicant that the information likely to be obtained is relevant to an ongoing criminal investigation being conducted by that agency.

72 Del. Laws, c. 232, §  1

§ 2433. Order authorizing installation and use.

(a) General provisions. — Upon an application made under § 2432 of this title, the court shall enter an ex parte order authorizing the installation and use of a pen register or a trap and trace device within the jurisdiction of the court if the court finds that the information likely to be obtained by the installation and use is relevant to an ongoing criminal investigation.

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

(1) Specify the identity, if known, of the person to whom is leased or in whose name is listed the electronic communication service to which the pen register or trap and trace device is to be attached;

(2) Specify the identity, if known, of the person who is the subject of the criminal investigation;

(3) Specify the number and, if known, physical location of the electronic communication service to which the pen register or trap and trace device is to be attached and in the case of a trap and trace device, the geographic limits of the trap and trace order;

(4) Contain a description of the offense to which the information likely to be obtained by the pen register or trap and trace device relates; and

(5) Direct, upon the request of the applicant, the furnishing of information, facilities and technical assistance necessary to accomplish the installation of the pen register or trap and trace device under § 2434 of this title.

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

(2) Extensions of an order issued under this section may be granted upon an application for an order as prescribed by § 2432 of this title and upon the judicial finding required under subsection (a) of this section. An extension may not exceed 60 days.

(d) Restrictions. — An order authorizing or approving the installation and use of a pen register or a trap and trace device shall direct that:

(1) The order be sealed until further order of the court; and

(2) The person owning or leasing the line to which the pen register or a trap and trace device is attached or who has been ordered by the court to provide assistance to the applicant, not disclose the existence of the pen register or trap and trace device or the existence of the investigation to the listed subscriber or to any other person, unless or until otherwise ordered by the court.

72 Del. Laws, c. 232, §  1

§ 2434. Assistance to investigative or law-enforcement officer or agency.

(a) Installation and use. — Upon the request of an investigative or law-enforcement officer authorized to install and use a pen register under this chapter, a provider of wire or electronic communication service, landlord, custodian or other person shall furnish the investigative or law-enforcement officer with all information, facilities and technical assistance necessary to accomplish the installation of the pen register unobtrusively and with a minimum of interference with the services that the person ordered by the court accords the party with respect to whom the installation and use is to take place, if such assistance is directed by a court order under § 2433 of this title.

(b) Receipt of results. — Upon the request of an officer of law-enforcement agency authorized to receive the results of a trap and trace device under this chapter, a provider of a wire or electronic communication service, landlord, custodian or other person shall install the device on the appropriate line and shall furnish the investigative or law-enforcement officer all additional information, facilities and technical assistance including installation and operation of the device unobtrusively and with a minimum of interference with the services that the person ordered by the court accords the party with respect to whom the installation and use is to take place, if the installation and assistance is directed by a court order under § 2433 of this title. Unless otherwise ordered by the court, the results of the trap and trace device shall be furnished to the officer of a law-enforcement agency, designated in the court order, at reasonable intervals during regular business hours for the duration of the order.

(c) Compensation. — A provider of a wire or electronic communication service, landlord, custodian or other person who furnishes facilities or technical assistance under this section shall be compensated for reasonable expenses incurred in providing the facilities and assistance.

(d) Causes of action. — Nothing in this chapter may be construed as creating a cause of action against any provider of a wire or electronic communication service, its officers, employees, agents or other specified persons for providing information, facilities or assistance in accordance with the terms of a court order under § 2430, § 2431, § 2432 or § 2433 of this title.

(e) Defenses. — A good faith reliance on a court order, a legislative authorization or a statutory authorization is a complete defense against any civil or criminal action brought under § 2430, § 2431, § 2432 or § 2433 of this title or under any other law.

72 Del. Laws, c. 232, §  1