Opinion ID: 1243792
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Privacy Act

Text: Our state has a long history of statutory protection of private communications and conversations. In 1909, the Legislature first penalized the opening of a sealed letter or divulging the contents of a telegram. RCW 9.73.010, .020. In 1967, the Legislature made it unlawful, with some statutory exceptions, to intercept or record by any device any private conversation or communication transmitted by telephone, telegraph, radio, or other device without the prior consent of all participants or a court order. RCW 9.73.030. [10] In 1977, the Legislature permitted electronic recording of conversations with one party's consent where law enforcement obtained an order from a judge or magistrate finding probable cause to believe that the nonconsenting party committed, was engaged in, or is about to commit a felony. RCW 9.73.090(2). Authorizations under this section are effective for a maximum of seven days. RCW 9.73.090(4). In 1989, the Legislature enacted the Omnibus Alcohol and Controlled Substances Act (Omnibus Drug Act) which broadened the ability of law enforcement officers to record private conversations and communications concerning drug felonies. RCW 9.73.090(5). That statute permits interception or recording for a fourteen-day period upon a finding by a judge or magistrate there is probable cause to believe that the communication or conversation concerns delivery, sale or other enumerated criminal acts relating to controlled substances. Authorization may be granted even though the true name of the nonconsenting party, or the particular time and place of the conversation, is not known at the time of the request, provided that the authorization describes the nonconsenting party and subject matter of the communication or conversation with reasonable certainty. The authorization remains valid even if there is a change in the time or location of the communication or conversation, or if an additional party not named in the authorization participates in the conversation. RCW 9.73.090(5). [11] RCW 9.73.090(5) was the basis for Operation Hardfall. [12]