{"data":{"id":"us-pa/18-pa.c.s.-5708","jurisdiction":"us-pa","citation":"18 Pa.C.S. § 5708","heading":"Order authorizing interception of wire, electronic or oral communications.","body":"The Attorney General, or, during the absence or incapacity of the Attorney General, a deputy attorney general designated in writing by the Attorney General, or the district attorney or, during the absence or incapacity of the district attorney, an assistant district attorney designated in writing by the district attorney of the county wherein the suspected criminal activity has been, is or is about to occur, may make written application to any Superior Court judge for an order authorizing the interception of a wire, electronic or oral communication by the investigative or law enforcement officers or agency having responsibility for an investigation involving suspected criminal activities when such interception may provide evidence of the commission of any of the following offenses, or may provide evidence aiding in the apprehension of the perpetrator or perpetrators of any of the following offenses:\n(1) Under this title:\nSection 911 (relating to corrupt organizations)\nSection 2501 (relating to criminal homicide)\nSection 2502 (relating to murder)\nSection 2503 (relating to voluntary manslaughter)\nSection 2702 (relating to aggravated assault)\nSection 2706 (relating to terroristic threats)\nSection 2709.1 (relating to stalking)\nSection 2716 (relating to weapons of mass destruction)\nSection 2901 (relating to kidnapping)\nSection 3011 (relating to trafficking in individuals)\nSection 3012 (relating to involuntary servitude)\nSection 3121 (relating to rape)\nSection 3123 (relating to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse)\nSection 3124.1 (relating to sexual assault)\nSection 3125 (relating to aggravated indecent assault)\nSection 3301 (relating to arson and related offenses)\nSection 3302 (relating to causing or risking catastrophe)\nSection 3502 (relating to burglary)\nSection 3701 (relating to robbery)\nSection 3921 (relating to theft by unlawful taking or disposition)\nSection 3922 (relating to theft by deception)\nSection 3923 (relating to theft by extortion)\nSection 4701 (relating to bribery in official and political matters)\nSection 4702 (relating to threats and other improper influence in official and political matters)\nSection 5512 (relating to lotteries, etc.)\nSection 5513 (relating to gambling devices, gambling, etc.)\nSection 5514 (relating to pool selling and bookmaking)\nSection 5516 (relating to facsimile weapons of mass destruction)\nSection 6318 (relating to unlawful contact with minor)\n(2) Under this title, where such offense is dangerous to life, limb or property and punishable by imprisonment for more than one year:\nSection 910 (relating to manufacture, distribution or possession of devices for theft of telecommunications services)\nSection 2709(a)(4), (5), (6) or (7) (relating to harassment)\nSection 3925 (relating to receiving stolen property)\nSection 3926 (relating to theft of services)\nSection 3927 (relating to theft by failure to make required disposition of funds received)\nSection 3933 (relating to unlawful use of computer)\nSection 4108 (relating to commercial bribery and breach of duty to act disinterestedly)\nSection 4109 (relating to rigging publicly exhibited contest)\nSection 4117 (relating to insurance fraud)\nSection 4305 (relating to dealing in infant children)\nSection 4902 (relating to perjury)\nSection 4909 (relating to witness or informant taking bribe)\nSection 4911 (relating to tampering with public records or information)\nSection 4952 (relating to intimidation of witnesses or victims)\nSection 4953 (relating to retaliation against witness or victim)\nSection 5101 (relating to obstructing administration of law or other governmental function)\nSection 5111 (relating to dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities)\nSection 5121 (relating to escape)\nSection 5902 (relating to prostitution and related offenses)\nSection 5903 (relating to obscene and other sexual materials and performances)\nSection 7313 (relating to buying or exchanging Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit coupons, stamps, authorization cards or access devices)\n(3) Under the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, where such offense is dangerous to life, limb or property and punishable by imprisonment for more than one year:\nSection 1272 (relating to sales of unstamped cigarettes)\nSection 1273 (relating to possession of unstamped cigarettes)\nSection 1274 (relating to counterfeiting)\n(4) Any offense set forth under section 13(a) of the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, not including the offense described in clause (31) of section 13(a).\n(5) Any offense set forth under the act of November 15, 1972 (P.L.1227, No.272).\n(6) Any conspiracy to commit any of the offenses set forth in this section.\n(7) Under the act of November 24, 1998 (P.L.874, No.110), known as the Motor Vehicle Chop Shop and Illegally Obtained and Altered Property Act.","path":["Title 18 - CRIMES AND OFFENSES","PART II DEFINITION OF SPECIFIC OFFENSES","ARTICLE F OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER AND DECENCY","CHAPTER 57 WIRETAPPING AND ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE","SUBCHAPTER B WIRE, ELECTRONIC OR ORAL COMMUNICATION"],"source_url":"https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?txtType=HTM\u0026ttl=18\u0026div=0\u0026chpt=57\u0026sctn=8\u0026subsctn=0","current_through":"2026-08-31 (Statute Update stamp, 18 Pa.C.S.)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-02T16:31:28Z","sha256":"201e21eae2d9dce535713773b9c2020cbd624703861f64759144a5736bf015ae","source_id":"us-pa","stale":false,"prev":"us-pa/18-pa.c.s.-5707","next":"us-pa/18-pa.c.s.-5709"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}