Court Opinion

ID: 3899267
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-07-06 09:30:17.173021+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:52:07.649304
License: Public Domain

Robert Bernstein, M.D., F.A.C.P. Commissioner of Health Texas Department of Health 1100 West 49th Street Austin, Texas 78769
Re: Reconsideration of JM-983 (1988), regarding the use of Station Message Detail Recordings (RQ-1641)
Dear Dr. Bernstein:
You have asked that we reconsider Attorney General Opinion JM-983
(1988), in which we concluded that a Station Message Detail Recording device (SMDR) was a pen register. We have received a number of letters and briefs arguing that an SMDR is not in fact a pen register.
In reviewing those letters and briefs we conclude that we based our determination that an SMDR is a pen register on a rather scant description of the device at issue in that opinion. The letters and briefs we received contain persuasive arguments that an SMDR is not in fact a pen register. We decline, however, to make a determination about whether an SMDR as described in those briefs and letters is or is not a pen register since we cannot make a determination that requires the resolution of fact issues.
We emphasize again, however, that even if a device is a pen register, its use is permissible if the use "is a necessary incident to the rendition of service or to the protection of property of or services provided by the enterprise" and is not used for law enforcement or private investigative purposes. Penal Code art. 16.03(d). The use at issue in Attorney General OpinionJM-983 was to help the county "to identify unauthorized long distance telephone usage and avoid waste of County funds." We think such a use is clearly a permissible one under article 16.03(d) of the Penal Code.
In conclusion, we withdraw Attorney General Opinion JM-983 and decline to make determinations about whether particular devices are or are not pen registers. Regardless of whether a device is a pen register, however, the use of the device to protect state property by recording the origin of incoming communications as well as outgoing numbers called in order to prevent the public from paying for private calls is permissible under article 16.03(d) of the Penal Code.
 SUMMARY
Regardless of whether a device is a pen register, the use of such a device to protect state property by recording the origin of incoming communications as well as outgoing numbers called in order to prevent the public from paying for private calls is permissible under article 16.03(d) of the Penal Code. AttorneyGeneral Opinion JM-983 is withdrawn.
Very truly yours,
  Jim Mattox Attorney General of Texas
  Mary Keller First Assistant Attorney General
  Lou McCreary Executive Assistant Attorney General
  Judge Zollie Steakley Special Assistant Attorney General
  Rick Gilpin Chairman Opinion Committee
  Prepared by Sarah Woelk Assistant Attorney General