Arizona House Bill HB2492

Arizona 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/12/23

Caption

Technical correction; emergency interception

Impact

The bill stipulates that an emergency interception can occur if there is reason to believe that it can prevent death or serious harm. Once authorized, law enforcement has a narrow window of forty-eight hours to seek a formal judicial order post-interception. Should they fail to secure this order, any communications intercepted would be inadmissible in court against individuals not involved in the interception. This provision seeks to balance the urgent needs of law enforcement and the rights of individuals regarding privacy and lawful communication.

Summary

House Bill 2492, introduced by Representative Payne, aims to amend the existing laws surrounding eavesdropping and emergency interception of communications under section 13-3015 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. The bill addresses situations where the attorney general or designated county attorneys can authorize law enforcement agencies to intercept communications under emergency circumstances, where there is a perceived imminent threat to life or serious injury. This amendment facilitates rapid law enforcement response in dangerous situations that may require immediate action without first obtaining a judicial authorization.

Contention

Critics of HB 2492 may raise concerns regarding the potential for abuse of such emergency powers, fearing that law enforcement could overreach without sufficient checks on their authority. The stipulation that communications obtained without proper authorization may not be used in court adds a layer of protection; however, it also raises questions about accountability and the criteria for determining what constitutes an 'emergency.' As this is a sensitive area of law, ongoing discussions will likely focus on ensuring that individual rights are preserved while providing adequate tools to law enforcement during genuine emergencies.