Cell Phone Jammers

[physicstech]

I have a question about cell phone jammers. I know they are illegal on a federal level for what I'm sure are multiple reasons. I think I recall the penalty being an $11k fine and several years in prison for a first offense. A friend of mine (an actual friend, not me) bought one from some website, and when it arrived, he said it worked great in movie theaters. I went with him one time, and he showed me, how well it works. It did indeed stop every phone conversation (he turned it on only when a person started talking, and it killed the signal every time) I personally think it's a bad idea to force courteous behavior on people because we can't be sure no one in the theater needs to be reachable by a babysitter, hospital, etc... What would you do if you found someone was using a cell phone jammer? Would the scenario make a difference? (ie: theater vs on the road) Thanks

[brog0000]

In Ohio:

2909.04 Disrupting public services.

(A) No person, purposely by any means or knowingly by damaging or tampering with any property, shall do any of the following:

(1) Interrupt or impair television, radio, telephone, telegraph, or other mass communications service; police, fire, or other public service communications; radar, loran, radio, or other electronic aids to air or marine navigation or communications; or amateur or citizens band radio communications being used for public service or emergency communications;

(2) Interrupt or impair public transportation, including without limitation school bus transportation, or water supply, gas, power, or other utility service to the public;

(3) Substantially impair the ability of law enforcement officers, firefighters, rescue personnel, emergency medical services personnel, or emergency facility personnel to respond to an emergency or to protect and preserve any person or property from serious physical harm.

(B) No person shall knowingly use any computer, computer system, computer network, telecommunications device, or other electronic device or system or the internet so as to disrupt, interrupt, or impair the functions of any police, fire, educational, commercial, or governmental operations.

(C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of disrupting public services, a felony of the fourth degree.

I would confiscate the device, and probably arrest them regardless of the venue.

[physicstech]

Thank you for your response.

[mcsap]

If theaters chose to do so, they could build the theater so that it blocked the signals with a mesh/metal lining in the walls. Of course then they would have to advertise to their customers that their phones woudn't work and people would be less likely to attend a movie.

I have enough common sense to put my phone on vibrate ( I have to have it on 24/7) , it is a shame that the world is populated with people that don't have common sense.

[brog0000]

Amen to that. I'm in my senior year of college, there is a class I take in an auditorium. On any given day you can hear cell phones ringing due to people not putting them on vibrate. There is even a woman who sometimes sits in the very back and talks on her phone!

[retdetsgt]

I wish I had one I could carry on my belt and turn it on when required to shut some inconsiderate jerk up.

[BJJVad]

I wish I had one I could carry on my belt and turn it on when required to shut some inconsiderate jerk up.

Try concentrated lemon extract juice in a water pistol.

[Gutwrench]

In Ohio:

2909.04 Disrupting public services.

(A) No person, purposely by any means or knowingly by damaging or tampering with any property, shall do any of the following:

(1) Interrupt or impair television, radio, telephone, telegraph, or other mass communications service; police, fire, or other public service communications; radar, loran, radio, or other electronic aids to air or marine navigation or communications; or amateur or citizens band radio communications being used for public service or emergency communications;

(2) Interrupt or impair public transportation, including without limitation school bus transportation, or water supply, gas, power, or other utility service to the public;

(3) Substantially impair the ability of law enforcement officers, firefighters, rescue personnel, emergency medical services personnel, or emergency facility personnel to respond to an emergency or to protect and preserve any person or property from serious physical harm.

(B) No person shall knowingly use any computer, computer system, computer network, telecommunications device, or other electronic device or system or the internet so as to disrupt, interrupt, or impair the functions of any police, fire, educational, commercial, or governmental operations.

(C) Whoever violates this section is guilty of disrupting public services, a felony of the fourth degree.

I would confiscate the device, and probably arrest them regardless of the venue.

Question: Is there a section prohibiting mere possession of a device too? Otherwise the elements listed here appear to restrict use only.

[retdetsgt]

Try concentrated lemon extract juice in a water pistol.

Naw, I'm too old to fight, I'd have to shoot and kill them.

[valycop]

Question: Is there a section prohibiting mere possession of a device too? Otherwise the elements listed here appear to restrict use only.

381733 Part 2.803, Part 22, Part 24 Cell Phone Blocker, Jammer

Taken from the Federal Communications website.

[valycop]

Section

Above is the link to the actual law under the Code of Federal Regulation.

[Gutwrench]

Interesting. Thank you valycop.

[valycop]

Now, to add one more piece of information, here's how Virginia would treat this kind of device.

8.2-190.2. Possession of an unlawful electronic communication device or equipment etc., used to manufacture such device; penalty.

A person who knowingly possesses (i) an unlawful electronic communication device or (ii) equipment or materials used to manufacture an unlawful electronic communication device as defined in § 18.2-190.1 with the intent to manufacture an unlawful electronic communication device shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony unless such possession is by an electronic communication equipment manufacturer while lawfully acting in that capacity, or a facilities-based electronic communication service provider licensed by the Federal Communications Commission or by a law-enforcement agency.

(1993, c. 439; 1998, c. 518; 2002, c. 671; 2003, c. 354.)

[valycop]

I promise I'll shut up..........if your state has no law prohibiting the possession or use of this type or similar device, contact the nearest Federal Communications Commission field office (you can do an online search for the nearest office). I can tell you they will assist you with your investigation and may take over the case to be prosecuted federally.

[kels]

In theory, you could be charged with obstruction of legal process if it interfers with my phone call while
I am on duty.
I would imagine the tow bill, and the 40 mile trip to jail would be the major inconvience.
Of course, you have to get a ride back from the jail also. We only haul ONE WAY.