WIRETAPPING AND EAVESDROPPING

RSA tit. LVIII, ch. 570-A

in effect

RSA 570-A:1 Definitions.

570-A:1. Definitions. As used in this chapter: I. "Telecommunication" means the transfer of any form of information in whole or in part through the facilities of a communications common carrier. "Telecommunication" does not include any communication made through a tone-only paging system or from a tracking device. II. "Oral communication" means any verbal communication uttered by a person who has a reasonable expectation that the communication is not subject to interception, under circumstances justifying such expectation. III. "Intercept" means the aural or other acquisition of, or the recording of, the contents of any telecommunication or oral communication through the use of any electronic, mechanical, or other device. IV. "Electronic, mechanical, or other device" means any device or apparatus which can be used to intercept a telecommunication or oral communication other than: (a) Any telephone or telegraph instrument, equipment, facility or any component thereof: (1) Furnished to the subscriber or user by a communication carrier in the ordinary course of its business and being used by the subscriber or user in the ordinary course of its business or furnished by such subscriber or user for connection to the facilities of such service and used in the ordinary course of its business in accordance with applicable provisions of telephone and telegraph company rules and regulations, as approved by the public utilities commission; (2) Being used by a communication common carrier in the ordinary course of its business, or by an investigative or law enforcement officer in the ordinary course of his duties pursuant to this chapter; (3) Being used by a communication common carrier in the ordinary course of its business, or by an investigative or law enforcement officer in the ordinary course of his duties; (b) A hearing aid or similar device being used to correct subnormal hearing to not better than normal. V. "Person" means any employee or agent of the state or political subdivision thereof, and any individual, partnership, association, joint stock company, trust, or corporation. VI. "Investigative or law enforcement officer" means any officer of the state or political subdivision thereof who is empowered by law to conduct investigations of or to make arrests for offenses enumerated in this chapter, and any attorney authorized by law to prosecute or participate in the prosecution of such offenses. VII. "Contents", when used with respect to any telecommunication or oral communication, includes any information concerning the identity of the parties to such communication or the existence, substance, purport, or meaning of that communication. VIII. "Judge of competent jurisdiction" means a judge of the superior court. IX. "Communications common carrier" means a person engaged in providing communications services to the general public through transmission of any form of information between subscribers by means of wire, cable, radio or electromagnetic transmission, optical or fiber-optic transmission, or other means which transfers information without physical transfer of medium, whether by switched or dedicated facilities. A person engaged in radio or television broadcasting or any other general distribution of any form of communications shall not thereby be deemed a communications common carrier. "Communications common carrier" shall include any wireless technology that uses a wireless entry or access point to transmit or receive any form of information. X. "Aggrieved person" means a person who was a party to any intercepted telecommunication or oral communication or a person against whom the interception was directed. XI. "Organized crime" means the unlawful activities of the members of a highly organized, disciplined association engaged in supplying illegal goods and services, including but not limited to homicide, gambling, prostitution, narcotics, marijuana or other dangerous drugs, bribery, extortion, blackmail and other unlawful activities of members of such organizations. XII. [Repealed.] Source. 1969, 403:1. 1975, 385:1. 1985, 263:1. 1986, 53:1. 1988, 25:1, 2, 7, I. 1992, 174:1. 1995, 280:1, 2, 10, I, eff. Aug. 20, 1995. 2012, 65:1, eff. July 14, 2012. 2018, 183:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2019.

RSA 570-A:2 Interception and Disclosure of Telecommunication or Oral Communications Prohibited.

570-A:2. Interception and Disclosure of Telecommunication or Oral Communications Prohibited. I. A person is guilty of a class B felony if, except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter or without the consent of all parties to the communication, the person: (a) Wilfully intercepts, endeavors to intercept, or procures any other person to intercept or endeavor to intercept, any telecommunication or oral communication; (b) Wilfully uses, endeavors to use, or procures any other person to use or endeavor to use any electronic, mechanical, or other device to intercept any oral communication when: (1) Such device is affixed to, or otherwise transmits a signal through, a wire, cable, or other like connection used in telecommunication, or (2) Such device transmits communications by radio, or interferes with the transmission of such communication, or (3) Such use or endeavor to use (A) takes place on premises of any business or other commercial establishment, or (B) obtains or is for the purpose of obtaining information relating to the operations of any business or other commercial establishment; or (c) Wilfully discloses, or endeavors to disclose, to any other person the contents of any telecommunication or oral communication, knowing or having reason to know that the information was obtained through the interception of a telecommunication or oral communication in violation of this paragraph; or (d) Willfully uses, or endeavors to use, the contents of any telecommunication or oral communication, knowing or having reason to know that the information was obtained through the interception of a telecommunication or oral communication in violation of this paragraph. I-a. A person is guilty of a misdemeanor if, except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter or without consent of all parties to the communication, the person knowingly intercepts a telecommunication or oral communication when the person is a party to the communication or with the prior consent of one of the parties to the communication, but without the approval required by RSA 570-A:2, II(d). II. It shall not be unlawful under this chapter for: (a) Any operator of a switchboard, or an officer, employee, or agent of any communication common carrier whose facilities are used in the transmission of a telecommunication, to intercept, disclose, or use that communication in the normal course of employment while engaged in any activity which is a necessary incident to the rendition of service or to the protection of the rights or property of the carrier of such communication; provided, however, that said communication common carriers shall not utilize service observing or random monitoring except for mechanical or service quality control checks. (b) An officer, employee, or agent of any communication common carrier to provide information, facilities, or technical assistance to an investigative or law enforcement officer who, pursuant to this chapter, is authorized to intercept a telecommunication or oral communication. (c) Any law enforcement officer, when conducting investigations of or making arrests for offenses enumerated in this chapter, to carry on the person an electronic, mechanical or other device which intercepts oral communications and transmits such communications by radio. (d) An investigative or law enforcement officer in the ordinary course of the officer's duties pertaining to the conducting of investigations of organized crime, offenses enumerated in this chapter, solid waste violations under RSA 149-M:9, I and II, or harassing or obscene telephone calls to intercept a telecommunication or oral communication, when such person is a party to the communication or one of the parties to the communication has given prior consent to such interception; provided, however, that no such interception shall be made unless the attorney general, the deputy attorney general, or an assistant attorney general designated by the attorney general determines that there exists a reasonable suspicion that evidence of criminal conduct will be derived from such interception. Oral authorization for the interception may be given and a written memorandum of said determination and its basis shall be made within 72 hours thereafter. The memorandum shall be kept on file in the office of the attorney general. (e) Where the offense under investigation is defined in RSA 318-B, the attorney general to delegate authority under RSA 570-A:2, II(d) to a county attorney. The county attorney may exercise this authority only in the county where the county attorney serves. The attorney general shall, prior to the effective date of this subparagraph, adopt specific guidelines under which the county attorney may give authorization for such interceptions. Any county attorney may further delegate authority under this section to any assistant county attorney in the county attorney's office. (f) An officer, employee, or agent of the Federal Communications Commission, in the normal course of employment and in discharge of the monitoring responsibilities exercised by the commission in the enforcement of chapter 5 of title 47 of the United States Code, to intercept a telecommunication, or oral communication transmitted by radio, or to disclose or use the information thereby obtained. (g) Any law enforcement officer, when conducting investigations of or making arrests for offenses enumerated in this chapter, to carry on the person an electronic, mechanical or other device which intercepts oral communications and transmits such communications by radio. (h) Any municipal, county, or state fire or police department, the division of emergency services and communications as created by RSA 21-P:48-a, including the bureau of emergency communications as defined by RSA 106-H, or any independently owned emergency service, and their employees in the course of their employment, when receiving or responding to emergency calls, to intercept, record, disclose or use a telecommunication, while engaged in any activity which is a necessary incident to the rendition of service or the protection of life or property. (i) Any public utility regulated by the public utilities commission, and its employees in the course of employment, when receiving central dispatch calls or calls for emergency service, or when responding to central dispatch calls or calls for emergency service, to intercept, record, disclose or use a telecommunication, while engaged in any activity which is a necessary incident to the rendition of service, or the protection of life and property. Any public utility recording calls pursuant to this subparagraph shall provide an automatic tone warning device which automatically produces a distinct signal that is repeated at regular intervals during the conversation. The public utilities commission may adopt rules relative to the recording of emergency calls under RSA 541-A. (j) A uniformed law enforcement officer to make an audio recording in conjunction with a video recording of a routine stop performed in the ordinary course of patrol duties on any way as defined by RSA 259:125, provided that the officer shall first give notification of such recording to the party to the communication unless it is not reasonable or practicable under the circumstances. (k)(1) The owner or operator of a school bus, as defined in RSA 259:96, to make an audio recording in conjunction with a video recording of the interior of the school bus while students are being transported to and from school or school activities, provided that the school board authorizes audio recording, the school district provides notification of such recording to the parents and students as part of the district's pupil safety and violence prevention policy required under RSA 193-F, and there is a sign informing the occupants of such recording prominently displayed on the school bus. (2) Prior to any audio recording, the school board shall hold a public hearing to determine whether audio recording should be authorized in school buses, and if authorized, the school board shall establish an administrative procedure to address the length of time which the recording is retained, ownership of the recording, limitations on who may listen to the recording, and provisions for erasing or destroying the recording. Such administrative procedure shall permit the parents or legal guardian of any student against whom a recording is being used as part of a disciplinary proceeding to listen to the recording. In no event, however, shall the recording be retained for longer than 10 school days unless the school district determines that the recording is relevant to a disciplinary proceeding, or a court orders that it be retained for a longer period of time. An audio recording shall only be reviewed if there has been a report of an incident or a complaint relative to conduct on the school bus, and only that portion of the audio recording which is relevant to the incident or complaint shall be reviewed. (l) A law enforcement officer in the ordinary course of the officer's duties using any device capable of making an audio or video recording, or both, and which is attached to and used in conjunction with a TASER or other similar electroshock device. Any person who is the subject of such recording shall be informed of the existence of the audio or video recording, or both, and shall be provided with a copy of such recording at his or her request. (m) A law enforcement officer to make a body-worn recording pursuant to RSA 105-D. Source. 1969, 403:1. 1975, 385:2. 1977, 588:16. 1979, 282:1. 1985, 263:2. 1988, 25:3. 1990, 96:1; 191:2. 1992, 174:2. 1995, 195:1; 280:10, I, II, III. 1996, 251:24, eff. Aug. 9, 1996; 274:1-5, eff. Jan. 1, 1997. 2002, 257:11, eff. July 1, 2002. 2003, 319:129, eff. Sept. 4, 2003. 2004, 171:21, eff. July 24, 2004. 2006, 69:1, eff. June 24, 2006. 2008, 139:1, eff. Aug. 5, 2008; 361:11, eff. July 11, 2008. 2010, 155:4, eff. July 1, 2010. 2016, 169:1, eff. June 3, 2016; 322:2, eff. Jan. 1, 2017.

RSA 570-A:2-a Cell Site Simulator Devices.

570-A:2-a. Cell Site Simulator Devices. I. In this section: (a) "Cell site simulator device" means a device that transmits or receives radio waves for the purpose of conducting one or more of the following operations: (1) Identifying, locating, or tracking the movements of a communications device. (2) Intercepting, obtaining, accessing, or forwarding the communications, sorted data, or metadata of a communications device. (3) Affecting the hardware or software operations or functions of a communications device. (4) Forcing transmissions from or connections to a communications device. (5) Denying a communications device access to other communications devices, communications protocols, or services without informing affected users. (6) Spoofing or simulating a communications device, cell tower, cell site, or service including, but not limited to, an international mobile subscriber identity catcher or other invasive cell phone or telephone surveillance or eavesdropping device that mimics a cell phone tower and sends out signals to cause cell phones in the area to transmit their locations, identifying information, and communications content, or a passive interception device or digital analyzer that does not send signals to a communications device under surveillance. (b) A "cell site simulator device" shall not include any device used or installed by: (1) An electric utility solely to the extent such device is used by that utility to measure electrical usage or to operate the electric grid efficiently. (2) A telecommunications company, or its customers or vendors, solely to the extent such device is used by such entity or individual to operate its communications network efficiently. (c) "Communications device" means a device that is capable of creating, receiving, accessing, or storing electronic communications, including but not limited to cellular telephones. (d) "Metadata" means structured information that describes, explains, locates, or otherwise makes it easier to retrieve, use, or manage an information resource. II. No person shall use a cell site simulator device to locate or track the location of an individual's communications device without: (a) The individual's informed consent; or (b) A warrant issued by a judge authorizing the use of a cell site simulator device, that is based upon probable cause and that describes with particularity the person, place, or thing to be searched or seized; or (c) A judicially-recognized exception to the warrant requirement, for information to be collected by a cell site simulator device. III. A law enforcement agency authorized to use a cell site simulator device in accordance with paragraph II shall: (a) Permanently delete any information, data, or metadata collected from any party not specified in the applicable court order as soon as reasonably possible and not later than the end of the day on which it was obtained immediately following such collection, and shall not transmit, use, or retain such information or metadata for any purpose. (b) Delete any information, data, or metadata collected from the target specified in the court order within 30 days if there is no longer reason to believe that such information or metadata is evidence of a crime. IV. Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor and, notwithstanding RSA 651:2, IV(a), may be fined up to $10,000. Source. 2017, 224:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2018.

RSA 570-A:3 Manufacture, Distribution, Possession, and Advertising of Telecommunication or Oral Communication Intercepting Devices Prohibited.

570-A:3. Manufacture, Distribution, Possession, and Advertising of Telecommunication or Oral Communication Intercepting Devices Prohibited. I. A person is guilty of a class B felony if, except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, he: (a) 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 telecommunications or oral communications; or (b) Places in any newspaper, magazine, handbill, or other publication any advertisement of: (1) 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 telecommunications or oral communications, or (2) Any other electronic, mechanical, or other device, where such advertisement promotes the use of such device for the purpose of the surreptitious interception of telecommunications or oral communications. II. It shall not be unlawful under this section for: (a) A communications common carrier or an officer, agent, or employee of, or a person under contract with, a communications common carrier, in the normal course of the communications common carrier's business, or (b) An officer, agent, or employee of, or a person under contract with, the state, or a political subdivision thereof, in the normal course of the activities of the state, 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 telecommunications or oral communications. Source. 1969, 403:1. 1977, 588:17. 1995, 280:10, I, III, eff. Aug. 20, 1995.

RSA 570-A:4 Confiscation of Telecommunication or Oral Communication Intercepting Devices.

570-A:4. Confiscation of Telecommunication or Oral Communication Intercepting Devices. Any electronic, mechanical, or other device used, sent, carried, manufactured, assembled, possessed, sold, or advertised in violation of RSA 570-A:2 or 570-A:3 may be seized and forfeited to the state according to the procedure set forth in RSA 617. Source. 1969, 403:1. 1995, 280:10, I, eff. Aug. 20, 1995.

RSA 570-A:5 Immunity of Witnesses.

570-A:5. Immunity of Witnesses. Whenever, in the judgment of the attorney general, the testimony of any witness, or the production of books, papers, or other evidence by any witness, in any case or proceeding before any grand jury or superior court involving any violation of this chapter or any of the offenses enumerated in RSA 570-A:7, or any conspiracy to violate this chapter or any of the offenses enumerated in RSA 570-A:7, is necessary to the public interest, the attorney general, or a county attorney upon the written approval of the attorney general, shall make application to the superior court that the witness shall be instructed to testify or produce evidence subject to the provisions of this section, and upon order of the court such witness shall not be excused from testifying or from producing books, papers, or other evidence on the ground that the testimony or evidence required of him may tend to incriminate him or subject him to a penalty or forfeiture. No such witness shall be prosecuted or subjected to any penalty or forfeiture for or on account of any transaction, matter or thing concerning which he is compelled, after having claimed his privilege against self-incrimination, to testify or produce evidence, nor shall testimony so compelled be used as evidence in any criminal proceeding (except in the proceeding described in the next sentence) against him in any court. No witness shall be exempt under this section from prosecution for perjury or contempt committed while giving testimony or producing evidence under compulsion as provided in this section. Source. 1969, 403:1, eff. Aug. 31, 1969.

RSA 570-A:6 Prohibition of Use as Evidence of Intercepted Telecommunications or Oral Communications.

570-A:6. Prohibition of Use as Evidence of Intercepted Telecommunications or Oral Communications. Whenever any telecommunication or oral communication has been intercepted, no part of the contents of such communication and no evidence derived therefrom may be received in evidence in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding in or before any court, grand jury, department, officer, agency, regulatory body, legislative committee, or other authority of the state, or a political subdivision thereof, if the disclosure of that information would be in violation of this chapter. Source. 1969, 403:1. 1995, 280:10, I, III, eff. Aug. 20, 1995.

RSA 570-A:7 Authorization for Interception of Telecommunications or Oral Communications.

570-A:7. Authorization for Interception of Telecommunications or Oral Communications. The attorney general, deputy attorney general, or a county attorney, upon the written approval of the attorney general or deputy attorney general, may apply to a judge of competent jurisdiction for an order authorizing or approving the interception of telecommunications or oral communications, and such judge may grant, in conformity with RSA 570-A:9, an order authorizing or approving the interception of telecommunications or oral communications by investigative or law enforcement officers having responsibility for the investigation of the offenses as to which the application is made, when such interception may provide, or has provided, evidence of the commission of organized crime, as defined in RSA 570-A:1, XI, or evidence of the commission of the offenses of homicide, kidnapping, gambling, theft as defined in RSA 637, corrupt practices as defined in RSA 640, child sexual abuse images under RSA 649-A, computer pornography and child exploitation under RSA 649-B, criminal conduct in violation of the securities law, as defined in RSA 421-B:5-501, RSA 421-B:5-502, RSA 421-B:5-502-A, RSA 421-B:5-505, RSA 421-B:5-506, and RSA 421-B:5-508, criminal conduct in violation of the security takeover disclosure laws, as defined in RSA 421-A:3, 421-A:7, 421-A:8, 421-A:11, and 421-A:13, robbery as defined in RSA 636:1, arson as defined in RSA 634:1, hindering apprehension or prosecution as defined in RSA 642:3, tampering with witnesses and informants as defined in RSA 641:5, aggravated felonious sexual assault as defined in RSA 632-A:2, felonious sexual assault as defined in RSA 632-A:3, escape as defined in RSA 642:6, bail jumping as defined in RSA 642:8, insurance fraud as defined in RSA 638:20, dealing in narcotic drugs, marijuana, or other dangerous drugs, hazardous waste violations under RSA 147-A:4, I, or any conspiracy to commit any of the foregoing offenses. Source. 1969, 403:1. 1985, 263:3. 1988, 25:4. 1990, 191:1. 1995, 280:10, III. 1998, 361:4, eff. Jan. 1, 1999. 2001, 224:10, eff. Sept. 9, 2001. 2015, 273:19, eff. Jan. 1, 2016. 2017, 91:6, eff. Aug. 6, 2017.

RSA 570-A:8 Authorization for Disclosure and Use of Intercepted Telecommunications or Oral Communications.

570-A:8. Authorization for Disclosure and Use of Intercepted Telecommunications or Oral Communications. I. Any law enforcement officer who, by any means authorized by this chapter, has obtained knowledge of the contents of any telecommunication or oral communication, or evidence derived therefrom, may disclose such contents to another law enforcement officer to the extent that such disclosure is appropriate to the proper performance of the official duties of the officer making or receiving the disclosure. II. Any law enforcement officer who, by any means authorized by this chapter, has obtained knowledge of the contents of any telecommunication or oral communication or evidence derived therefrom may use such contents to the extent such use is appropriate to the proper performance of the officer's official duties. III. Any person who has received, by any means authorized by this chapter, any information concerning a telecommunication or oral communication or evidence derived therefrom intercepted in accordance with the provisions of this chapter may disclose the contents of that communication or such derivative evidence while giving testimony under oath or affirmation in any criminal proceeding in any court of the United States or of any state or in any federal or state grand jury proceeding. IV. No otherwise privileged telecommunication or oral communication intercepted in accordance with, or in violation of, the provisions of this chapter shall lose its privileged character. V. When a law enforcement officer, while engaged in intercepting telecommunications or oral communications in the manner authorized herein, intercepts telecommunications or oral communications relating to offenses other than those specified in the order of authorization or approval, the contents thereof, and evidence derived therefrom, may be disclosed or used as provided in paragraphs I and II. Such contents and any evidence derived therefrom may be used under paragraph III, when authorized or approved by a judge of competent jurisdiction where such judge finds on subsequent application that the contents were otherwise intercepted in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. Such application shall be made as soon as practicable. Source. 1969, 403:1. 1995, 280:3, 10, I, III, eff. Aug. 20, 1995.

RSA 570-A:9 Procedure for Interception of Telecommunication or Oral Communications.

570-A:9. Procedure for Interception of Telecommunication or Oral Communications. I. Each application for an order authorizing or approving the interception of a telecommunication or oral communication shall be made in writing upon oath or affirmation to a judge of competent jurisdiction and shall state the applicant's authority to make such application. Each application shall include the following information: (a) The identity of the law enforcement officer making the application, and the officer authorizing the application; (b) A full and complete statement of the facts and circumstances relied upon by the applicant to justify the applicant's belief that an order should be issued, including: (1) Details as to the particular offense that has been, is being, or is about to be committed, (2) A particular description of the nature and location of the facilities from which or the place where the communication is to be intercepted, (3) A particular description of the type of communications sought to be intercepted, (4) The identity of the person, if known, committing the offense and whose communications are to be intercepted; (c) A full and complete statement as to whether or not other investigative procedures have been tried and failed or why they reasonably appear to be unlikely to succeed if tried or to be too dangerous; (d) A statement of the period of time for which the interception is required to be maintained. If the nature of the investigation is such that the authorization for interception should not automatically terminate when the described type of communication has been first obtained, the application shall include a particular description of facts establishing probable cause to believe that additional communications of the same type will occur thereafter; (e) A full and complete statement of the facts concerning all previous applications known to the individual authorizing and making the application, made to any judge for authorization to intercept, or for approval of interceptions of, telecommunications or oral communications involving any of the same persons, facilities or places specified in the application, and the action taken by the judge on each such application; and (f) Where the application is for the extension of an order, a statement setting forth the results thus far obtained from the interception, or a reasonable explanation of the failure to obtain such results. II. The judge may require the applicant to furnish additional testimony or documentary evidence in support of the application. III. Upon such application, the judge may enter an ex parte order, as requested or as modified, authorizing or approving interception of telecommunication or oral communications, if the judge determines on the basis of the facts submitted by the applicant that: (a) There is probable cause for belief that an individual is committing, has committed, or is about to commit a particular offense enumerated in RSA 570-A:7; (b) There is probable cause for belief that particular communications concerning that offense will be obtained through such interception; (c) Normal investigative procedures have been tried and have failed or reasonably appear to be unlikely to succeed if tried or to be too dangerous; (d) There is probable cause for belief that the facilities from which, or the place where, the telecommunications or oral communications are to be intercepted are being used, or are about to be used, in connection with the commission of such offense, or are leased to, listed in the name of, or commonly used by such person. IV. Each order authorizing or approving the interception of any telecommunication or oral communication shall specify: (a) The identity of the person, if known, whose communications are to be intercepted; (b) The nature and location of the communications facilities as to which, or the place where, authority to intercept is granted; (c) A particular description of the type of communication sought to be intercepted, and a statement of the particular offense to which it relates; (d) The identity of the agency authorized to intercept the communications, and of the person authorizing the application; and (e) 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. V. No order entered under this section may authorize or approve the interception of any telecommunication or oral communication for any period longer than is necessary to achieve the objective of the authorization, nor in any event longer than 10 days. Extensions of an order may be granted, but only upon application for an extension made in accordance with paragraph I, and the court making the findings required by paragraph III. The period of extension shall be no longer than the authorizing judge deems necessary to achieve the purposes for which it was granted and in no event for longer than 10 days. Every order and extension thereof 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 10 days. VI. Whenever an order authorizing interception is entered pursuant to this chapter, 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 judge may require. VII. (a) The contents of any telecommunication or oral communication intercepted by any means authorized by this chapter shall, if possible, be recorded on tape or wire or other comparable device. The recording of the contents of any telecommunication or oral communication under this paragraph shall be done in such way as will protect the recording from editing or other alterations. Immediately upon the expiration of the period of the order or extensions thereof, such recordings shall be made available to the judge issuing such order and sealed under the judge's directions. Custody of the recordings shall be wherever the judge orders. They shall not be destroyed except upon an order of the issuing or denying judge and in any event shall be kept for 10 years. Duplicate recordings may be made for use or disclosure pursuant to the provisions of RSA 570-A:8, I and II, for investigations. The presence of the seal provided for by this paragraph, or a satisfactory explanation for the absence thereof, shall be a prerequisite for the use or disclosure of the contents of any telecommunication or oral communication or evidence derived therefrom under RSA 570-A:8, III. (b) Applications made and orders granted under this chapter shall be sealed by the judge. Custody of the applications and orders shall be wherever the judge directs. Such applications and orders shall be disclosed only upon a showing of good cause before a judge of competent jurisdiction and shall not be destroyed except on order of the issuing or denying judge, and in any event shall be kept for 10 years. (c) Any violation of the provisions of this paragraph may be punished as contempt of the issuing or denying judge. VIII. The contents of any intercepted telecommunication or oral communication or evidence derived therefrom shall not be received in evidence or otherwise disclosed in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding in a state court unless each party, not less than 10 days before the trial, hearing, or proceeding, has been furnished with a copy of the court order, and accompanying application, under which the interception was authorized or approved. This 10-day period may be waived by the judge if the judge finds that it was not possible to furnish the party with the above information 10 days before the trial, hearing, or proceeding and that the party will not be prejudiced by the delay in receiving such information. IX. (a) Any aggrieved person in any trial, hearing, or proceeding in or before any court, department, officer, agency, regulatory body, or other authority of the state, or a political subdivision thereof, may move to suppress the contents of any intercepted telecommunication or oral communication, or evidence derived therefrom, on the grounds that: (1) The communication was unlawfully intercepted; (2) The order of authorization or approval under which it was intercepted is insufficient on its face; or (3) The interception was not made in conformity with the order of authorization or approval. Such motion shall be made before the trial, hearing, or proceeding unless there was no opportunity to make such motion or the person was not aware of the grounds of the motion. If the motion is granted, the contents of the intercepted telecommunication or oral communication, or evidence derived therefrom, shall be treated as having been obtained in violation of this chapter. The judge, upon the filing of such motion by the aggrieved person, may, in the judge's discretion, make available to the aggrieved person or such person's counsel for inspection such portions of the intercepted communication or evidence derived therefrom as the judge determines to be in the interests of justice. (b) In addition to any other right to appeal, the state shall have the right to appeal from an order granting a motion to suppress made under subparagraph IX(a), or the denial of an application for an order of approval, if the attorney shall certify to the judge or other official granting such motion or denying such application that the appeal is not taken for purposes of delay. Such appeal shall be taken within 30 days after the date the order was entered and shall be diligently prosecuted. X. If an order authorizing interception is entered pursuant to this chapter, the order, upon request of the attorney general or deputy attorney general, shall direct that a communication common carrier shall furnish to the law enforcement agency designated by the attorney general all information, facilities or technical assistance necessary to accomplish the interception unobtrusively and with a minimum of interference with the services that such communication common carrier is according the person whose communications are to be intercepted. The communication common carrier shall furnish such facilities or technical assistance at its prevailing rate or tariff. Source. 1969, 403:1. 1975, 385:3. 1995, 280:4-7, 10, I, III, eff. Aug. 20, 1995.

RSA 570-A:9-b Use of Interpreters.

570-A:9-b. Use of Interpreters. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, an investigative or law enforcement officer supervising an interception under this chapter in which the intercepted communication is in a code or foreign language may utilize the assistance and participation of a qualified interpreter to translate the language being used into English. Such interpreter, before entering upon his or her duties, shall take an oath that he or she will make a true interpretation in an understandable manner to the best of his or her skill and judgment. Source. 2008, 361:13, eff. July 11, 2008.

RSA 570-A:10 Reports Concerning Intercepted Telecommunications or Oral Communications.

570-A:10. Reports Concerning Intercepted Telecommunications or Oral Communications. I. Within 30 days after the expiration of an order, or each extension thereof, entered under RSA 570-A:9, or the denial of an order approving an interception, the issuing or denying judge shall report to the administrative office of the United States Courts: (a) The fact that an order or extension was applied for; (b) The kind of order or extension applied for; (c) The fact that the order or extension was granted as applied for, was modified, or was denied; (d) The period of interceptions authorized by the order, and the number and duration of any extensions of the order; (e) The offense specified in the order or application, or extension of an order; (f) The identity of the applying investigative or law enforcement officer and agency making the application and the person authorizing the application; and (g) The nature of the facilities from which or the place where communications were to be intercepted. II. In January of each year, each county attorney shall report to the attorney general who shall report, in turn, to the administrative office of the United States Courts: (a) The information required by subparagraphs I(a) through (g) with respect to each application for an order or extension made during the preceding calendar year; (b) A general description of the interceptions made under such order or extension, including: (1) The approximate nature and frequency of incriminating communications intercepted, (2) The approximate nature and frequency of other communications intercepted, (3) The approximate number of persons whose communications were intercepted, and (4) The approximate nature, amount, and cost of the manpower and other resources used in the interceptions; (c) The number of arrests resulting from interceptions made under such order or extension, and the offenses for which arrests were made; (d) The number of trials resulting from such interceptions; (e) The number of motions to suppress made with respect to such interceptions, and the number granted or denied; (f) The number of convictions resulting from such interceptions and the offenses for which the convictions were obtained and a general assessment of the importance of the interceptions; and (g) The information required by subparagraphs (b) through (f) of this paragraph with respect to orders or extensions obtained in a preceding calendar year. III. On or before December 1 of each odd numbered year, the attorney general shall include in the report required by RSA 7:37, a report concerning the number of applications for orders authorizing or approving the interception of telecommunications or oral communications and the number of orders and extensions granted or denied during the preceding 2 years. Source. 1969, 403:1. 1995, 280:8, 10, III, eff. Aug. 20, 1995.

RSA 570-A:11 Recovery of Civil Damages Authorized.

570-A:11. Recovery of Civil Damages Authorized. Any person whose telecommunication or oral communication is intercepted, disclosed, or used in violation of this chapter shall have a civil cause of action against any person who intercepts, discloses, or uses, or procures any other person to intercept, disclose or use such communications, and be entitled to recover from any such person: (a) actual damages but not less than liquidated damages computed at the rate of $100 a day for each day of violation or $1,000, whichever is higher; (b) punitive damages; and (c) a reasonable attorney's fee and other litigation costs reasonably incurred. Good faith reliance on a court order or on a representation made by the attorney general, deputy attorney general or a county attorney shall constitute a complete defense to any civil or criminal action brought under this chapter. Source. 1969, 403:1. 1995, 280:10, I, eff. Aug. 20, 1995.

Source: New Hampshire General Court (gc.nh.gov)URL: https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/NHTOC/NHTOC-LVIII-570-A.htmFetched: 10/20/2026