Walk It Through: The Scanner
A local permit for a police band receiver, a name and address on reasonable suspicion, and up to six months.
A driver who follows local news mounts a police scanner on the dashboard.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
One car and one scanner. Federal radio law, how a local permit is issued, and a frisk during the stop are not worked through here.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- False personationAfter being told the consequences, knowingly misrepresenting one's actual name, date of birth or address to an officer, intending to keep the officer from learning it. A class B misdemeanor.
- Physical injuryImpairment of physical condition or substantial pain, the harm assault in the third degree turns on.
- Stop and friskA stop in a public place on reasonable suspicion of a felony or a penal law misdemeanor, with a demand for name, address and an explanation of conduct, and a search for weapons when the officer reasonably suspects danger of physical injury.
- Class A misdemeanorThe higher misdemeanor class, carrying up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
- Traffic infractionA category of offense of its own, separate from violations and crimes.
- ViolationAn offense allowing no more than fifteen days in jail and a fine of up to $250. Disorderly conduct, harassment in the second degree and trespass are violations.