# 18 Pa.C.S. § 5705: Possession, sale, distribution, manufacture or advertisement of electronic, mechanical or other devices and telecommunication identification interception devices

> Pennsylvania · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C57_S5705

## Section

- **Citation:** 18 Pa.C.S. § 5705
- **Heading:** Possession, sale, distribution, manufacture or advertisement of electronic, mechanical or other devices and telecommunication identification interception devices
- **Jurisdiction:** Pennsylvania
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Pennsylvania Code / Title 18 / Chapter 57 / Section 5705

## Text

Except as otherwise specifically provided in section 5706 (relating to exceptions to prohibitions in possession, sale, distribution, manufacture or advertisement of electronic, mechanical or other devices), a person is guilty of a felony of the third degree if he does any of the following:

(1) Intentionally possesses an electronic, mechanical or other device, knowing or having reason to know that the design of such device renders it primarily useful for the purpose of the surreptitious interception of a wire, electronic or oral communication.

(2) Intentionally sells, transfers or distributes an electronic, mechanical or other device, knowing or having reason to know that the design of such device renders it primarily useful for the purpose of the surreptitious interception of a wire, electronic or oral communication.

(3) Intentionally manufactures or assembles an electronic, mechanical or other device, knowing or having reason to know that the design of such device renders it primarily useful for the purpose of the surreptitious interception of a wire, electronic or oral communication.

(4) Intentionally places in any newspaper, magazine, handbill, or other publication any advertisement of an electronic, mechanical or other device, knowing or having reason to know that the design of such device renders it primarily useful for the purpose of the surreptitious interception of a wire, electronic or oral communication or of an electronic, mechanical or other device where such advertisement promotes the use of such device for the purpose

of the surreptitious interception of a wire, electronic or oral communication.

(5) Intentionally possesses a telecommunication identification interception device. (Oct. 21, 1988, P.L.1000, No.115, eff. imd.; Oct. 25, 2012, P.L.1634, No.202, eff. 60 days) 2012 Amendment. Act 202 amended the section heading and added par. (5).

## Nearby sections

- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5701 Short title of chapter.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C57_S5701.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5702 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C57_S5702.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5703 Interception, disclosure or use of wire, electronic or oral communications.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C57_S5703.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5704 Exceptions to prohibition of interception and disclosure of communications.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C57_S5704.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5705 Possession, sale, distribution, manufacture or advertisement of electronic, mechanical or other devices and telecommunication identification interception devices.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C57_S5705.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5706 Exceptions to prohibitions in possession, sale, distribution, manufacture or advertisement of electronic, mechanical or other devices.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C57_S5706.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5707 Seizure and forfeiture of electronic, mechanical or other devices.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C57_S5707.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5708 Order authorizing interception of wire, electronic or oral communications.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C57_S5708.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5709 Application for order.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C57_S5709.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5710 Grounds for entry of order.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C57_S5710.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5711 Privileged communications.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C57_S5711.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5712 Issuance of order and effect.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C57_S5712.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5712.1 Target-specific orders.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C57_S5712.1.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5713 Emergency situations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C57_S5713.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C57_S5705. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.