Senate OKs Easing of Restriction on Roving Wiretaps
- Share via
WASHINGTON — Federal law enforcement officers will find it easier to tap any phones used by suspected criminals under a bill passed Thursday by the Senate.
The measure involving so-called roving wiretaps is contained in a bill authorizing intelligence programs. The House passed the bill Wednesday and Clinton is expected to sign it.
Under a roving wiretap, a law enforcer can eavesdrop on the conversations of a suspected criminal using any phone. A regular wiretap, in contrast, permits eavesdropping only on a specific phone.
Federal law enforcers have had the ability to conduct court-authorized roving wiretaps since 1986. Under the bill passed Thursday, the FBI and other federal law enforcement agencies will no longer have to first show that a suspect is deliberately switching phones to skirt a regular wiretap.
In 1997, the most recent figures available, 12 roving wiretaps were issued: four by federal judges and eight by state and local judges.
With roving wiretaps, the court order covers the person, not the phone, as is the case with a regular wiretap.
Supporters of the measure pointed out that federal officers will be restricted to tapping a phone only when the suspect is using it.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
