Is it legal to listen to a scanner while driving in Washington state?

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Pro94Pdx

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I'm from Oregon, where scanners are legal in your vehicle, and no permit or HAM license is required to listen. I'll be in Washington state for a while soon, though, and wanted to be sure I'm legal listening while on the road. If you reply to this and happen to know the source of your information - for example, if you can cite the law number, etc - that would be great, for added certainty. Otherwise, if you have recent experience driving with your scanner in the state, please let me know if you've ever encountered any problems with law enforcement saying it's a no-no.... or, for that matter, with law enforcement telling you it's fine. Or, even better, if you ARE an officer in Washington and are reading this now, and can tell me for sure one way or the other, that's even better.

I don't want to risk a ticket. :)
 

pinballwiz86

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If you get pulled over they may or may not ask question your scanner. If they do, no big deal. Tell them you're a hobbyist and bid them a good day.
 

lowboy654

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You can use it in your car here, but I would turn it down if you get pulled over, the last time I got pulled over back in the 80's they asked about it no big deal.
 

scannerizer

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I also take my scanner occassionally when I have the chance to find a frequency or two and never once got pulled over so appearantly they don't care. Now if you were trying to carjack or hold up a store or street, then they might get personal and start checking you out.
 

SCPD

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I'm from Oregon, where scanners are legal in your vehicle, and no permit or HAM license is required to listen. I'll be in Washington state for a while soon, though, and wanted to be sure I'm legal listening while on the road.

It's 100% legal in WA state.
 

lowboy654

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In WA state, while it's not listed in the criminal code, it's consider to be an "aggravated circumstance" to use a police scanner in the commission of a crime. If a jury deems it justified, then the exceptional sentence can be imposed.
I for one have never liked the word's police scanner, it can do so much more, A police scanner by definition limits it to just that, mine can do much more.
 

SCPD

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I for one have never liked the word's police scanner, it can do so much more, A police scanner by definition limits it to just that, mine can do much more.

I agree Ken. It's very ambiguous. You could commit a crime at a local business by monitoring their radio communications. Isn't that the same thing..? (Presuming it could be proven of course...)
 

chpalmer

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Is it legal to listen to a scanner while driving in Washington state?

No- because-

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