Title 12
Criminal Procedure

Chapter 5.1
Interception of Wire and Oral Communications

R.I. Gen. Laws § 12-5.1-5

§ 12-5.1-5. Form and content of orders.

(a) Each order authorizing the interception of any wire, electronic, or oral communication shall specify:

(1) The identity, or a particular description of the person, if known, whose communications are to be intercepted;

(2) The nature and location of the communications facilities as to which, or the place where, authority to intercept is granted;

(3) A particular description of the type of communications sought to be intercepted, and a statement of the particular offense to which they relate;

(4) The identity of the agency authorized to intercept the communications; and

(5) The period of time during which the interception is authorized, including a statement as to whether or not the interception shall automatically terminate when the described communication has been first obtained.

(b) No order entered under this section may authorize the interception of any wire, electronic, or oral communication for any period longer than is necessary to achieve the objective of the authorization, nor in any event longer than thirty (30) days. Extensions of an order may be granted, but only upon application for an extension made in accordance with § 12-5.1-2 and the court making the findings required by § 12-5.1-4. The period of extension shall be no longer than the presiding justice of the superior court deems necessary to achieve the purposes for which it was granted and in no event for longer than thirty (30) days. Every order and extension shall contain a provision that the authorization to intercept shall be executed as soon as practicable, shall be conducted in such a way as to minimize the interception of communications not otherwise subject to interception under this chapter, and must terminate upon attainment of the authorized objective, or in any event in thirty (30) days.

(c) Whenever an order authorizing interception is entered pursuant to this chapter, the order may require reports to be made to the presiding justice of the superior court who issued the order showing what progress has been made toward achievement of the authorized objective and the need for continued interception. These reports shall be made at any intervals that the presiding justice of the superior court may require.

(d) A court order issued by a judge of competent jurisdiction authorizing the interception of a wire, electronic, or oral communication may direct an officer, employee, or agent of any communications common carrier or electronic communications service to provide information, facilities, and technical assistance to the applicant attorney general or an assistant attorney general specially designated by the attorney general or law enforcement officer or agency who, pursuant to this chapter, is designated to intercept a wire, electronic, or oral communication. The communications common carrier or electronic communication service shall, if ordered, immediately furnish the applicant attorney general or assistant attorney general specially designated by the attorney general all information, facilities, and technical assistance necessary to accomplish the interception unobtrusively and with a minimum of interference with the services that the communications carrier or electronic communication service is according the person whose communications are to be intercepted. A communications common carrier or electronic communication service shall furnish the information, facilities, and technical assistance at its prevailing rate or tariffs to the applicant attorney general or assistant attorney general specially designated by the attorney general or law enforcement officer or agency so designated to intercept a wire, electronic, or oral communication.

History of Section.
P.L. 1969, ch. 55, § 1; P.L. 1979, ch. 239, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 167, § 2.