Opinion ID: 568537
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Defense of Good Faith Reliance on Mistake of Law

Text: 37 Appellant argues he was entitled to raise a good faith defense to appellee's claim that he violated Title III. At trial, appellant's counsel asked whether he thought there was anything illegal about wiretapping his home phone. Tr.Vol. II at 29. The court sustained an objection to the question. Through counsel, appellant offered to testify that it was his opinion, based on his understanding of the law, that he could place a wiretap on the phone without his wife's consent. Id. at 31-32. 38 Whether a good faith defense based upon mistake of law exists under Title III is a question this court reviews de novo. In re Thompson, 894 F.2d 1227, 1228 (10th Cir.1990). Relying on Campiti v. Walonis, 611 F.2d 387, 394-95 (1st Cir.1979), the trial court rejected appellant's proffered testimony as irrelevant because there is no good faith defense based on a misunderstanding of the law. Tr.Vol. II at 121. We agree with the district court. 39 Title III expressly provides a good faith defense in a limited number of instances, such as reliance on a court warrant or order, grand jury subpoena or legislative or statutory authorization. See 18 U.S.C.A. § 2520(d) (Supp.1991). Good faith reliance on mistake of law is not listed among these defenses. The law's reluctance to allow testimony concerning subjective belief after the fact reflects an obvious concern with the reliability of such testimony. Accordingly, we find no such defense available under the statute.