Carrying a scanner

[Git-R-Done]

Howdy,
I have a Radio Shack Pro-95 handheld scanner that I wanna
carry with me when I go on trips so I can listen to the
police frequency to make sure nothing is going down
bad like. I asked a couple of people that work for law
inforcement some say its legal to have them on you as
long as you dont have the police type radio and everything
will be alright for you.Some say is illegal to have them no
matter what the scanner is. Please let me know.

[doomtsu]

I think as long as you aren't using the scanner to aide you in a criminal act then it is ok to have. Not sure how the law varies state-to-state though.

[futurecop90]

It has been a long held belief that owning and using a police scanner is illegal. The truth is that owning and using a scanner for use in your own home is legal, however, there are some things that are illegal to do with a scanner. In addition, local restrictions may apply and vary from state to state. For example, a few states require a permit or FCC amateur license for mobile scanner usage, but home usage is permitted.

The following restrictions apply nationwide and are spelled out in the ECPA (Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986):

*

It is illegal to listen to cellular and cordless phone calls.
*

It is illegal to intercept encrypted or scrambled communications.
*

It is illegal to for companies to manufacture, sell, or import scanners that can pick-up cellular phone frequencies. (This rule does not apply to sales by individuals and scanners made before 1985).
*

It is illegal for individuals to modify scanners so that cellular phone frequencies can be received.
*

It is illegal to use information you hear to aid in the commission of a crime.
*

It is illegal to disclose information you hear to other persons.
*

It is illegal to use information you hear for personal gain. In other words, let's say you're a taxi driver and you use your scanner to monitor your competition's frequency for fares, then race over and pick them up first. You would be breaking the law.

http://www.police-scanner.info/scann...anner_laws.htm

[Git-R-Done]

Here's a question its illegal to have the scanner on me? even when its not
been modified? From what I was told and read that my pro 95 cant be modified
so im good on that end. I have no idea who to belive from what they told me
at the law enforcement office. Do i need another answer before I get caught
with it? Its not the police type scanner though. I always thought if its not the
police type radio or scanner its legal to hear people on.

[darrell]

Look at getting a ticket, fines, scanner taken away and possible misd. charges pressed on you for having it in a motor vehicle in Michigan.

[Old Trooper]

As far as I know, having a radio capable of receiving police frequencies in your vehicle is a misdemeanor, no matter what reason you can come up with to try and "justify" it.

[Johninaustin]

Unless your scanner can read encrypted digital traffic or access the MDT system, you're not going to get a lot.

[Git-R-Done]

I just got off the phone with the police department
about carrying the scanner with me in the car when
im on the road. The officer im good as long its not the
police radio the ones that have the push button on
the scanner. Other than that im fine.

[darrell]

I just got off the phone with the police department
about carrying the scanner with me in the car when
im on the road. The officer im good as long its not the
police radio the ones that have the push button on
the scanner. Other than that im fine.

:confused: WHAT?


That maybe tru in your state but travel to another state with it and you will wind up in a heap of **** fast.

[Git-R-Done]

Thats what the police officer told me im in good hands with the scanner
as long I dont have the police type radio

[darrell]

Radio is any object that sends and receives or just receives radio waves for the purpose of sound transfer. Thus a scanner is considered a radio of sorts. A 2-way radio is what the poilice have in their scout cars.

yes I had to be technical.:D

[Git-R-Done]

Im only going from what the officer told me on the phone

[Norm357]

Perfectly legal in Ga. to have a scanner in your vehicle. This will of course vary by state.

[txinvestigator1]

Im only going from what the officer told me on the phone

There are no Texas Laws prohibiting the use of scanners for listening to emergency agencies. You may possess one in your home, in your vehicle or on your person. Use it to further a crime, as has been stated here, and you have committed another crime.

[HailStorm]

DC, no offense meant, but where's the fed law that bans the scanner from a motor vehicle? I'm quite certain that there's no law stating it's illegal to posses one in a vehicle in any state in the NE except New York, and that one's confusing. The majority of states have no problem with it. Some say "illegal in furtherance of a crime," and some ban them, but they all make an exception for amateur radio operators, or with a permit from the BCA/police commissioner.