Virginia legal term
Trap and trace device in Virginia Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Virginia legislative session
In Virginia criminal law, “Trap and trace device” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Virginia criminal code.
What does “Trap and trace device” mean in Virginia criminal law?
"Trap and trace device" means a device or process that captures the incoming electronic or other impulses that identify the originating number or other dialing, routing, addressing and signaling information reasonably likely to identify the source of a wire or electronic communication; however, such information shall not include the contents of any communication; "User" means any person or entity who uses an electronic communication service and is duly authorized by the provider of such service to engage in such use; "Wire communication" means any aural transfer made in whole or in part throug (Va. Code Ann. § 19.2-61)
Statutes defining or using this term
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This reference is informational and is not legal advice.