Is it illegal to have a scanner built in to your car in NYC? Can you have a mobile scanner? I've never heard of anyone getting in trouble but I was wondering what the legality is of monitoring police. For example, if I were to get pulled over and the officer were to see the mobile scanner, what would happen?
**Edit:
I am sure that this question has been answered hundreds of times and that perhaps the law varies from state to state. I have done some research and found that it is a misdemeanor to have a scanner BUILT IN to your car (as in to the fuse panel) and monitor police frequencies, unless said scanner is unplugged or non-functional. However, a mobile scanner such as many of the Uniden ones like the BC246T etc. are NOT illegal and you can bring this with you in your car as long as: you do not use this scanner in FURTHERANCE OF A CRIME (evading police, etc) and you don't use it for OPPORTUNISTIC GAIN (tow truck driver getting to an accident scene faster to get business, or a taxi driver intercepting a call to get there more quickly). Anyone have any comments or laws regarding this? Any experiences? I like bringing my mobile scanner in the car with me to monitor some of my local precincts for fun and as long as I'm not doing anything wrong I don't see how I could get in trouble. Please tell me what you guys think or know about this subject, though.
**Edit:
I am sure that this question has been answered hundreds of times and that perhaps the law varies from state to state. I have done some research and found that it is a misdemeanor to have a scanner BUILT IN to your car (as in to the fuse panel) and monitor police frequencies, unless said scanner is unplugged or non-functional. However, a mobile scanner such as many of the Uniden ones like the BC246T etc. are NOT illegal and you can bring this with you in your car as long as: you do not use this scanner in FURTHERANCE OF A CRIME (evading police, etc) and you don't use it for OPPORTUNISTIC GAIN (tow truck driver getting to an accident scene faster to get business, or a taxi driver intercepting a call to get there more quickly). Anyone have any comments or laws regarding this? Any experiences? I like bringing my mobile scanner in the car with me to monitor some of my local precincts for fun and as long as I'm not doing anything wrong I don't see how I could get in trouble. Please tell me what you guys think or know about this subject, though.
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