Current California Scanner Laws

[convE36]

Can anyone provide accurate information on current scanner laws for California?

[rolncode2892]

Don't quote me, but I don't beleive California has any codifed law banning scanner use. If that were the case, the media would be defunct.

[Bill D.]

Here's a part of the CA Penal Code:

California Penal Code Section 636.5 Wrongful
Interception and Divulgence of Police Radio Communication.


Any person not authorized by the sender, who intercepts
any police radio service communications, by use of a
scanner or other means, for the purpose of using that
communication to assist in the commission of a criminal
offense or to avoid or escape arrest, trial, conviction,
or punishment or who divulges to any person he or she knows
to be a suspect in the commission of any criminal offense,
the existence, contents, substance, purport, effect or
meaning of that communication concerning escape from arrest,
trial, conviction, or punishment is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Nothing in this section shall preclude prosecution of any
person under section 31 or 32.
As used in this section "police radio service
communications" means a communications authorized by the
Federal Communications Commission to be transmitted by a
station in the police radio service. Leg.H. 1976 ch. 1129,
1991 ch. 515.

I not sure what is covered in sections 31 and 32, but when I find out, I'll let you know.

[convE36]

Here's a part of the CA Penal Code:

California Penal Code Section 636.5 Wrongful
Interception and Divulgence of Police Radio Communication.


Any person not authorized by the sender, who intercepts
any police radio service communications, by use of a
scanner or other means, for the purpose of using that
communication to assist in the commission of a criminal
offense or to avoid or escape arrest, trial, conviction,
or punishment or who divulges to any person he or she knows
to be a suspect in the commission of any criminal offense,
the existence, contents, substance, purport, effect or
meaning of that communication concerning escape from arrest,
trial, conviction, or punishment is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Nothing in this section shall preclude prosecution of any
person under section 31 or 32.
As used in this section "police radio service
communications" means a communications authorized by the
Federal Communications Commission to be transmitted by a
station in the police radio service. Leg.H. 1976 ch. 1129,
1991 ch. 515.

I not sure what is covered in sections 31 and 32, but when I find out, I'll let you know.

So what does this mean? In simple terms...

[318]

If you commit a crime and use a scanner you are subject to additional charges one you got caught. Thats all.

~318

[318]

<Once you got caught>

[convE36]

Well I do not plan on commiting a crime, lol.

It is LEGAL to carry in your vehicle right?

[318]

YES. Anyone can carry scanners in their car, on their person, whatever... anytime and anywhere they want... you just can't use them to aid in a crime. That's a no-no... but I don't think anyone on this forum is interested in that. (I hope)

Just so you know, there is an OLD law in the county of LA thats prohibits the use of scanners in cars by anyone other then licensed hams, however it is very old and never enforced. Again, that's only in LA County. Riverside has no such restriction, nor does the Stae of California.

~318

[ddoug4uonly]

There is also a law somewhere in the county of LA or the city itself thats says Men can not walk down a public street wearing short sleve shirts

[cvrules90]

So what are they supposed to wear when it's 90+ degrees out?