2021 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Title 18 - CRIMES AND OFFENSES
Chapter 57 - Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance
Section 5744 - Backup preservation
(a) Backup preservation.--
(1) An investigative or law enforcement officer acting under section 5743(b)(2) (relating to requirements for governmental access) may include in its subpoena or court order a requirement that the service provider to whom the request is directed create a backup copy of the contents of the electronic communications sought in order to preserve those communications. Without notifying the subscriber or customer of the subpoena or court order, the service provider shall create the backup copy as soon as practicable, consistent with its regular business practices, and shall confirm to the investigative or law enforcement officer that the backup copy has been made. The backup copy shall be created within two business days after receipt by the service provider of the subpoena or court order.
(2) Notice to the subscriber or customer shall be made by the investigative or law enforcement officer within three days after receipt of confirmation that the backup copy has been made, unless the notice is delayed pursuant to section 5745(a) (relating to delayed notice).
(3) The service provider shall not destroy or permit the destruction of the backup copy until the later of:
(i) the delivery of the information; or
(ii) the resolution of all proceedings, including appeals of any proceeding, concerning the government's subpoena or court order.
(4) The service provider shall release the backup copy to the requesting investigative or law enforcement officer no sooner than 14 days after the officer's notice to the subscriber or customer if the service provider has not:
(i) received notice from the subscriber or customer that the subscriber or customer has challenged the officer's request; and
(ii) initiated proceedings to challenge the request of the officer.
(5) An investigative or law enforcement officer may seek to require the creation of a backup copy under paragraph (1) if in his sole discretion the officer determines that there is reason to believe that notification under section 5743 of the existence of the subpoena or court order may result in destruction of or tampering with evidence. This determination is not subject to challenge by the subscriber, customer or service provider.
(b) Customer challenges.--
(1) Within 14 days after notice by the investigative or law enforcement officer to the subscriber or customer under subsection (a)(2), the subscriber or customer may file a motion to quash the subpoena or vacate the court order, copies to be served upon the officer and written notice of the challenge to be given to the service provider. A motion to vacate a court order shall be filed in the court which issued the order. A motion to quash a subpoena shall be filed in the court which has authority to enforce the subpoena. The motion or application shall contain an affidavit or sworn statement:
(i) stating that the applicant is a customer of or subscriber to the service from which the contents of electronic communications maintained for the applicant have been sought; and
(ii) containing the applicant's reasons for believing that the records sought are not relevant to a legitimate investigative or law enforcement inquiry or that there has not been substantial compliance with the provisions of this subchapter in some other respect.
(2) Service shall be made under this section upon the investigative or law enforcement officer by delivering or mailing by registered or certified mail a copy of the papers to the person, office or department specified in the notice which the customer has received pursuant to this subchapter. For the purposes of this section, the term "delivery" has the meaning given that term in the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure.
(3) If the court finds that the customer has complied with paragraphs (1) and (2), the court shall order the investigative or law enforcement officer to file a sworn response, which may be filed in camera if the investigative or law enforcement officer includes in its response the reasons which make in camera review appropriate. If the court is unable to determine the motion or application on the basis of the parties' initial allegations and responses, the court may conduct such additional proceedings as it deems appropriate. All such proceedings shall be completed and the motion or application decided as soon as practicable after the filing of the officer's response.
(4) If the court finds that the applicant is not the subscriber or customer for whom the communications sought by the investigative or law enforcement officer are maintained, or that there is reason to believe that the investigative or law enforcement inquiry is legitimate and that the communications sought are relevant to that inquiry, it shall deny the motion or application and order the process enforced. If the court finds that the applicant is the subscriber or customer for whom the communications sought by the governmental entity are maintained, and that there is not reason to believe that the communications sought are relevant to a legitimate investigative or law enforcement inquiry, or that there has not been substantial compliance with the provisions of this subchapter, it shall order the process quashed.
(5) A court order denying a motion or application under this section shall not be deemed a final order, and no interlocutory appeal may be taken therefrom. The Commonwealth or investigative or law enforcement officer shall have the right to appeal from an order granting a motion or application under this section.
(Feb. 18, 1998, P.L.102, No.19, eff. imd.)
1998 Amendment. Act 19 amended subsec. (b).
Cross References. Section 5744 is referred to in sections 5741, 5746 of this title.
