Legal or not

[robocop80]

I am a resident of New Jersey and I just purchased a BCT15 to monitor as I love to listen what's going on in my local area. I am in the process of becoming a sworn officer outside of NJ. My question to you all is whether or not it is illegal to ride around with your scanner in your car in the state of NJ. If I get pulled over and Im listening to the police will this land me a fine, jail or scanner loss. Any help on this topic would be greatly appreciated.

 

[NESN]

Yes it's legal, unless you use the scanner in the commission of a crime. I don't have the NJSA Statute handy but I'm sure someone here can post it.

 

[xpawel15x]

Having a scanner in your car is LEGAL in the state of NJ as far as I know. If you get pulled over, don't try to hide your scanner, but I would just turn it off and if the officer asks what you need it for just say you enjoy listening to it and don't be a jerk and you'll be fine! Having the scanner on you in the commission of a crime is ILLEGAL almost everywhere.

 

[Bentley]

Section 397 - New State Statutes (1995)
Code of Criminal Justice
Riot, Disorderly Conduct, etc.
2C:33-21. Use of information intercepted from police, fire or emergency medical communications system

Any person who intercepts any message or transmission made on or over any police, fire or emergency medical communications system, or any person who is the recipient of information so intercepted, and who uses the information obtained thereby to facilitate the commission of or the attempt to commit a crime or violation of any law of this State, or uses the same in a manner which interferes with the discharge of police operations, shall be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.
L.1991, c. 432, s. 1, eff. Jan 18, 1992.
2C:33-22. Possession of radio capable of receiving transmission from police, fire, or emergency medical communication system


Any person who, while in the course of committing or attempting to commit a crime, including the immediate flight therefrom, possesses or controls a radio capable of receiving any message or transmission made on or over any police, fire or emergency medical communications system, shall be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.
L.1991, c. 432, s. 2, eff. Jan 18, 1992.

 

[SCPD]

http://lis.njleg.state.nj.us/cgi-bin/om_isapi.dll?clientID=252940&Depth=2&TD=WRAP&advquery=33-21&depth=4&expandheadings=on&headingswithhits=on&hitsperheading=on&infobase=statutes.nfo&rank=&record={18B9}&softpage=Doc_Frame_PG42&wordsaroundhits=2&x=39&y=13&zz=

 

[SCPD]

Since the link didn't work....


2C:33-21 Interception or use of official communications.

1.Any person who intercepts any message or transmission made on or over any police, fire or emergency medical communications system, or any person who is the recipient of information so intercepted, and who uses the information obtained thereby to facilitate the commission of or the attempt to commit a crime or a violation of any law of this State, or uses the same in a manner which interferes with the discharge of police or firefighting operations or provision of medical services by first aid, rescue or ambulance squad personnel, shall be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.

L.1991,c.432,s.1; amended 1999, c.317.

2C:33-22. Possession of emergency communications receiver
2. Any person who, while in the course of committing or attempting to commit a crime, including the immediate flight therefrom, possesses or controls a radio capable of receiving any message or transmission made on or over any police, fire or emergency medical communications system, shall be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.