Texas Penal Code 16.03 – Unlawful Use of Pen Register or Trap and Trace Device
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(a) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly installs or uses a pen register or trap and trace device to record or decode electronic or other impulses for the purpose of identifying telephone numbers dialed or otherwise transmitted on a telephone line.
(b) In this section:
(1) “Authorized peace officer,” “pen register,” and “trap and trace device” have the meanings assigned by Article 18B.001, Code of Criminal Procedure.
(2) “Communication common carrier” has the meaning assigned by Article 18A.001, Code of Criminal Procedure.
Terms Used In Texas Penal Code 16.03
- Actor: means a person whose criminal responsibility is in issue in a criminal action. See Texas Penal Code 1.07
- Agency: includes authority, board, bureau, commission, committee, council, department, district, division, and office. See Texas Penal Code 1.07
- Another: means a person other than the actor. See Texas Penal Code 1.07
- Felony: means an offense so designated by law or punishable by death or confinement in a penitentiary. See Texas Penal Code 1.07
- Law: means the constitution or a statute of this state or of the United States, a written opinion of a court of record, a municipal ordinance, an order of a county commissioners court, or a rule authorized by and lawfully adopted under a statute. See Texas Penal Code 1.07
- Peace officer: means a person elected, employed, or appointed as a peace officer under Article Texas Penal Code 1.07
- Person: means an individual or a corporation, association, limited liability company, or other entity or organization governed by the Business Organizations Code. See Texas Penal Code 1.07
- Property: means real and personal property. See Texas Government Code 311.005
(c) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under Subsection (a) that the actor is:
(1) an officer, employee, or agent of a communication common carrier and the actor installs or uses a device or equipment to record a number dialed from or to a telephone instrument in the normal course of business of the carrier for purposes of:
(A) protecting property or services provided by the carrier; or
(B) assisting another who the actor reasonably believes to be a peace officer authorized to install or use a pen register or trap and trace device under Chapter 18B, Code of Criminal Procedure;
(2) an officer, employee, or agent of a lawful enterprise and the actor installs or uses a device or equipment while engaged in an activity that:
(A) is a necessary incident to the rendition of service or to the protection of property of or services provided by the enterprise; and
(B) is not made for the purpose of gathering information for a law enforcement agency or private investigative agency, other than information related to the theft of communication or information services provided by the enterprise; or
(3) a person authorized to install or use a pen register or trap and trace device under Chapter 18B, Code of Criminal Procedure.
(d) An offense under this section is a state jail felony.