2A:156A-12. Order; contents; limitations; extensions; renewals; progress reports; assistance of providers; point of execution

12. Each order authorizing the interception of any wire, electronic or oral communication shall state:

a. The judge is authorized to issue the order;

b. The identity of, or a particular description of, the person, if known, whose communications are to be intercepted;

c. The character and location of the particular communication facilities as to which, or the particular place of the communication as to which, authority to intercept is granted, or, in the case of an application meeting the requirements of subsection g. of section 9 of P.L.1968, c.409 (C.2A:156A-9) that specification is not practical or that the purpose to thwart interception by changing facilities has been shown;

d. A particular description of the type of the communication to be intercepted and a statement of the particular offense to which it relates;

e. The identity of the investigative or law enforcement officers or agency to whom the authority to intercept a wire, electronic or oral communication is given and the identity of whoever authorized the application; and

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

No order entered under this section shall authorize the interception of any wire, electronic or oral communication for a period of time in excess of that necessary under the circumstances. Every order entered under this section shall require that such interception begin and terminate as soon as practicable and be conducted in such a manner as to minimize or eliminate the interception of such communications not otherwise subject to interception under this act by making reasonable efforts, whenever possible, to reduce the hours of interception authorized by said order. In the event the intercepted communication is in a language other than English, or is in a code, and an interpreter or expert in that language or code is not reasonably available during the interception period or a portion of the interception period, minimization shall be accomplished as soon as practicable after the interception. Except as provided below in subsection g. of this section, no order entered under this section shall authorize the interception of wire, electronic or oral communications for any period exceeding 20 days. Extensions or renewals of such an order may be granted for two additional periods of not more than 10 days. No extension or renewal shall be granted unless an application for it is made in accordance with this section, and the court makes the findings required by sections 10 and 11 of P.L.1968, c.409 (C.2A:156A-10 and 2A:156A-11) and by this section.

g. Orders entered under this section to provide evidence of racketeering in violation of N.J.S.2C:41-2, leader of organized crime in violation of subsection g. of N.J.S.2C:5-2, or leader of narcotics trafficking network in violation of N.J.S.2C:35-3, may authorize the interception of wire, electronic or oral communications for a period not to exceed 30 days and extensions or renewals of any order may be granted for additional periods of not more than 30 days, without limitation on the number of extension or renewal orders; provided, however, that orders authorized pursuant to this subsection shall not exceed six months.

h. Whenever an order authorizing an interception is entered, the order may require reports to be made to the judge who issued the order showing what progress has been made toward achievement of the authorized objective and the need for continued interception. Such reports shall be made at such intervals as the court may require.

An order authorizing the interception of a wire, electronic or oral communication shall, upon request of the applicant, direct that a provider of electronic communication service shall furnish the applicant forthwith all information, facilities and technical assistance necessary to accomplish the interception unobtrusively and with a minimum of interference with the services that such provider is affording the person whose communications are to be intercepted.

The obligation of a provider of electronic communication service under such an order shall include but is not limited to conducting an in-progress trace during an interception and shall also include the provision of technical assistance and equipment and utilization of any technological features which are available to the provider of electronic communication service. The obligation of the provider of electronic communication service to conduct an in-progress trace and provide other technical assistance may arise pursuant to court order based upon probable cause, under circumstances not involving an interception pursuant to this act. Any provider of electronic communication service furnishing such facilities or assistance shall be compensated therefor by the applicant at the prevailing rates. Said provider shall be immune from civil liability for any assistance rendered to the applicant pursuant to this section.

An order authorizing the interception of a wire, electronic or oral communication may be executed at any point of interception within the jurisdiction of an investigative or law enforcement officer executing the order.

L.1968,c.409,s.12; amended 1975, c.131, s.8; 1978, c.51, s.5; 1989, c.85, s.4; 1993, c.29, s.11; 1999, c.151, s.5.