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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>72378</law_id><section_number>19.2-70.1</section_number><catch_line>General prohibition on pen register and trap and trace device use; exceptions</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>19.2-62</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="19.2">Criminal Procedure</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="6">Interception of Wire, Electronic or Oral Communications</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>Except as provided in this section, no <span class="dictionary">person</span> may install or use a <span class="dictionary">pen register</span> or a <span class="dictionary">trap and trace device</span> without first obtaining a <span class="dictionary">court order</span> under &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Application for and issuance of order for a pen register or trap and trace device; assistance in installation and use" href="/19.2-70.2/">19.2-70.2</a>.
		However, a <span class="dictionary">court order</span> shall not be required for use of a <span class="dictionary">pen register</span> or <span class="dictionary">trap and trace device</span> by a provider of electronic or <span class="dictionary">wire communication</span> service (i) relating to the operation, maintenance, and testing of a wire or <span class="dictionary">electronic communication service</span> or to the protection of the rights or property of the provider, or to the protection of <span class="dictionary">users</span> of that service from abuse of service or unlawful use of service; (ii) to record the <span class="dictionary">fact</span> that a wire or electronic communication was initiated or completed in order to protect such provider, another provider furnishing service toward the completion of the <span class="dictionary">wire communication</span>, or a <span class="dictionary">user</span> of that service, from fraudulent, unlawful or abusive use of service; or (iii) where the consent of the <span class="dictionary">user</span> of that service has been obtained.
		Any <span class="dictionary">person</span> who knowingly violates this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 <span class="dictionary">misdemeanor</span>.</p></section></text><history>1988, c. 889.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
