NCJ Number
40476
Journal
University of Cincinnati Law Review Volume: 45 Issue: 4 Dated: (1976) Pages: 649-659
Date Published
1976
Length
11 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE FOCUSES ON A CURRENT PROBLEM CONCERNING WHETHER A DISTRICT COURT, IN ISSUING AN ORDER AUTHORIZING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS TO INSTALL A PEN REGISTER, MAY COMPEL A TELEPHONE COMPANY TO ASSIST IN ITS INSTALLATION.
Abstract
A PEN REGISTER IS A MECHANICAL DEVICE USUSALLY ATTACHED TO A GIVEN PHONE INSIDE THE CENTRAL OFFICE OF A TELEPHONE COMPANY. IT RECORDS ONLY THE NUMBERS DIALED FROM THAT LINE, AND DOES NOT RECORD INCOMING NUMBERS. ITS USE DOES NOT INVOLVE THE MONITORING OF TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS. RECENT COURT DECISIONS ARE ANALYZED AND THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES THAT CONGRESS SHOULD CLARIFY THE RULES REGULATING THE USE OF PEN REGISTERS TO REDUCE JUDICIAL CONFUSION....MSP