NCJ Number
99391
Journal
Criminal Justice Quarterly Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Dated: (Spring 1985) Pages: 136-154
Date Published
1985
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This article explains why electronic surveillance is a necessary and useful law enforcement tool and notes several of New Jersey's administrative and statutory parameters of electronic surveillance intended to safeguard civil liberties.
Abstract
New Jersey's 1968 Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Control Act, which authorizes police to obtain a court order for electronic surveillance in the course of criminal investigations, has been instrumental in successful investigations of organized crime groups and conspiracies whose operations depend upon frequent telephone communications. Provisions of the New Jersey Wiretape Act limit those who can authorize an application for a surveillance order, limit the subject matter to be investigated, and require the designation of when and for what reasons approval for electronic surveillance will be granted as well as the time span over which an electronic surveillance device can be in effect. Statistical data describe the use and results of electronic surveillance in New Jersey for 1977-83. Data cover surveillance order frequency, types of offense involved, the number of wiretaps, number of indictments, and defendant disposition. Thirty-five footnotes are listed.