{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/19.2-63.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/19.2-63.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/19.2-63.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/19.2-63.html"}],"law_id":63623,"edition_id":1,"section_id":63623,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-63","catch_line":"Manufacture, possession, sale or advertising of certain devices unlawful; penalties; exceptions","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 19.1-89.3; 1973, c. 442; 1975, c. 495; 1988, c. 889.","full_text":"A\n\nExcept as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, any person who intentionally:1\n\nManufactures, assembles, possesses, or sells any electronic, mechanical, or other device, knowing or having reason to know that the design of such device renders it primarily useful for the purpose of the surreptitious interception of wire, electronic or oral communications; or2\n\nPlaces in any newspaper, magazine, handbill, or other publication any advertisement of:a\n\nAny electronic, mechanical, or other device knowing or having reason to know that the design of such device renders it primarily useful for the purpose of the surreptitious interception of wire, electronic or oral communications, orb\n\nAny other electronic, mechanical, or other device where such advertisement promotes the use of such device for the purpose of the surreptitious interception of wire, electronic or oral communications; shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony.B\n\nIt shall not be unlawful under this section for:1\n\nA provider of wire or electronic communication service or an officer, agent, or employee of, or a person under contract with, such provider in the normal course of the provider’s business, or2\n\nAn officer, agent, or employee of, or a person under contract with the United States, the Commonwealth or a political subdivision thereof, in the normal course of the activities of the United States, the Commonwealth, or a political subdivision thereof, to manufacture, assemble, possess, or sell any electronic, mechanical, or other device knowing or having reason to know that the design of such device renders it primarily useful for the purpose of the surreptitious interception of wire, electronic or oral communications.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":231786,"text":"Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, any person who intentionally:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":231787,"text":"Manufactures, assembles, possesses, or sells any electronic, mechanical, or other device, knowing or having reason to know that the design of such device renders it primarily useful for the purpose of the surreptitious interception of wire, electronic or oral communications; or","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":231788,"text":"Places in any newspaper, magazine, handbill, or other publication any advertisement of:","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A2a"},"3":{"id":231789,"text":"Any electronic, mechanical, or other device knowing or having reason to know that the design of such device renders it primarily useful for the purpose of the surreptitious interception of wire, electronic or oral communications, or","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2","a"],"prefix":"a","entire_prefix":"A2a","prefix_anchor":"A2a","level":3,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A2b"},"4":{"id":231790,"text":"Any other electronic, mechanical, or other device where such advertisement promotes the use of such device for the purpose of the surreptitious interception of wire, electronic or oral communications; shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2","b"],"prefix":"b","entire_prefix":"A2b","prefix_anchor":"A2b","level":3,"prior_prefix":"A2a","next_prefix":"B"},"5":{"id":231791,"text":"It shall not be unlawful under this section for:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A2b","next_prefix":"B1"},"6":{"id":231792,"text":"A provider of wire or electronic communication service or an officer, agent, or employee of, or a person under contract with, such provider in the normal course of the provider’s business, or","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"7":{"id":231793,"text":"An officer, agent, or employee of, or a person under contract with the United States, the Commonwealth or a political subdivision thereof, in the normal course of the activities of the United States, the Commonwealth, or a political subdivision thereof, to manufacture, assemble, possess, or sell any electronic, mechanical, or other device knowing or having reason to know that the design of such device renders it primarily useful for the purpose of the surreptitious interception of wire, electronic or oral communications.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1"}},"ancestry":[{"id":12802,"edition_id":1,"name":"Interception of Wire, Electronic or Oral Communications","identifier":"6","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12801,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":170861,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12802,"identifier":"6","token":"19.2\/6","url":"\/19.2\/6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12801,"edition_id":1,"name":"Criminal Procedure","identifier":"19.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:53","permalink":{"id":168169,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12801,"identifier":"19.2","token":"19.2","url":"\/19.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":53969,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-61","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/19.2-61\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-61","metadata":false},{"id":60300,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-62","catch_line":"Interception, disclosure, etc., of wire, electronic or oral communications unlawful; penalties; exceptions","url":"\/19.2-62\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-62","metadata":false},{"id":63623,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-63","catch_line":"Manufacture, possession, sale or advertising of certain devices unlawful; penalties; exceptions","url":"\/19.2-63\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-63","metadata":false},{"id":87215,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-63.1","catch_line":"Supervision and control of devices; unauthorized possession","url":"\/19.2-63.1\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-63.1","metadata":false},{"id":67905,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-64","catch_line":"Forfeiture of unlawful devices","url":"\/19.2-64\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-64","metadata":false},{"id":79412,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-65","catch_line":"When intercepted communications and evidence derived therefrom not to be received in evidence","url":"\/19.2-65\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-65","metadata":false},{"id":70476,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-66","catch_line":"When Attorney General or Chief Deputy Attorney General may apply for order authorizing interception of communications","url":"\/19.2-66\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-66","metadata":false},{"id":75148,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-67","catch_line":"Disclosure of information obtained by authorized means","url":"\/19.2-67\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-67","metadata":false},{"id":75660,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-68","catch_line":"Application for and issuance of order authorizing interception; contents of order; recording and retention of intercepted communications, applications and orders; notice to parties; introduction in evidence of information obtained","url":"\/19.2-68\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-68","metadata":false},{"id":57482,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-69","catch_line":"Civil action for unlawful interception, disclosure, or use","url":"\/19.2-69\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-69","metadata":false},{"id":84369,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-70","catch_line":"Reports to be filed by courts and Attorney General","url":"\/19.2-70\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-70","metadata":false},{"id":72378,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-70.1","catch_line":"General prohibition on pen register and trap and trace device use; exceptions","url":"\/19.2-70.1\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-70.1","metadata":false},{"id":80598,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-70.2","catch_line":"Application for and issuance of order for a pen register or trap and trace device; assistance in installation and use","url":"\/19.2-70.2\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-70.2","metadata":false},{"id":56012,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-70.3","catch_line":"Obtaining records concerning electronic communication service or remote computing service","url":"\/19.2-70.3\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-70.3","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":60300,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-62","catch_line":"Interception, disclosure, etc., of wire, electronic or oral communications unlawful; penalties; exceptions","url":"\/19.2-62\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-62","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":87215,"structure_id":12802,"section_number":"19.2-63.1","catch_line":"Supervision and control of devices; unauthorized possession","url":"\/19.2-63.1\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-63.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/19.2-63\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1973, chapter 442; in 1975, chapter 495; in 1988, chapter 889.<\/p>","references":[{"id":87215,"section_number":"19.2-63.1","catch_line":"Supervision and control of devices; unauthorized possession","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-63.1\/"},{"id":67905,"section_number":"19.2-64","catch_line":"Forfeiture of unlawful devices","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-64\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":170871,"object_type":"law","relational_id":63623,"identifier":"19.2-63","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-63","url":"\/19.2-63\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/19.2-63\/","token":"19.2\/6\/19.2-63","dublin_core":{"Title":"Manufacture, possession, sale or advertising of certain devices unlawful; penalties; exceptions","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 19.2-63","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, any person<\/span> who intentionally: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Manufactures, assembles, possesses, or sells any electronic, mechanical, or other device, knowing or having reason to know that the design of such device renders it primarily useful for the purpose of the surreptitious interception of wire, electronic or oral communications<\/span>; or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Places in any newspaper, magazine, handbill, or other publication any advertisement of: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

a.<\/span> Any electronic, mechanical, or other device knowing or having reason to know that the design of such device renders it primarily useful for the purpose of the surreptitious interception of wire, electronic or oral communications<\/span>, or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

b.<\/span> Any other electronic, mechanical, or other device where such advertisement promotes the use of such device for the purpose of the surreptitious interception of wire, electronic or oral communications<\/span>; shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> It shall not be unlawful under this section for: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> A provider of wire or electronic communication service<\/span> or an officer, agent, or employee of, or a person<\/span> under contract<\/span> with, such provider in the normal course of the provider’s business, or <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> An officer, agent, or employee of, or a person<\/span> under contract<\/span> with the United States, the Commonwealth or a political subdivision thereof, in the normal course of the activities of the United States, the Commonwealth, or a political subdivision thereof, to manufacture, assemble, possess, or sell any electronic, mechanical, or other device knowing or having reason to know that the design of such device renders it primarily useful for the purpose of the surreptitious interception of wire, electronic or oral communications<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nMANUFACTURE, POSSESSION, SALE OR ADVERTISING OF CERTAIN DEVICES UNLAWFUL;\nPENALTIES; EXCEPTIONS (\u00a7 19.2-63)\n\nA. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, any person who\nintentionally:\n\n 1. Manufactures, assembles, possesses, or sells any electronic, mechanical, or\n other device, knowing or having reason to know that the design of such device\n renders it primarily useful for the purpose of the surreptitious interception\n of wire, electronic or oral communications; or\n\n 2. Places in any newspaper, magazine, handbill, or other publication any\n advertisement of:\n\n a. Any electronic, mechanical, or other device knowing or having reason to\n know that the design of such device renders it primarily useful for the\n purpose of the surreptitious interception of wire, electronic or oral\n communications, or\n\n b. Any other electronic, mechanical, or other device where such\n advertisement promotes the use of such device for the purpose of the\n surreptitious interception of wire, electronic or oral communications; shall\n be guilty of a Class 6 felony.\n\nB. It shall not be unlawful under this section for:\n\n 1. A provider of wire or electronic communication service or an officer,\n agent, or employee of, or a person under contract with, such provider in the\n normal course of the provider’s business, or\n\n 2. An officer, agent, or employee of, or a person under contract with the\n United States, the Commonwealth or a political subdivision thereof, in the\n normal course of the activities of the United States, the Commonwealth, or a\n political subdivision thereof, to manufacture, assemble, possess, or sell any\n electronic, mechanical, or other device knowing or having reason to know that\n the design of such device renders it primarily useful for the purpose of the\n surreptitious interception of wire, electronic or oral communications.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 19.1-89.3; 1973, c. 442; 1975, c. 495; 1988, c. 889.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}