
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 50USC1809]

 
                   TITLE 50--WAR AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
 
              CHAPTER 36--FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE
 
                  SUBCHAPTER I--ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE
 
Sec. 1809. Criminal sanctions


(a) Prohibited activities

    A person is guilty of an offense if he intentionally--
        (1) engages in electronic surveillance under color of law except 
    as authorized by statute; or
        (2) discloses or uses information obtained under color of law by 
    electronic surveillance, knowing or having reason to know that the 
    information was obtained through electronic surveillance not 
    authorized by statute.

(b) Defense

    It is a defense to a prosecution under subsection (a) of this 
section that the defendant was a law enforcement or investigative 
officer engaged in the course of his official duties and the electronic 
surveillance was authorized by and conducted pursuant to a search 
warrant or court order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

(c) Penalties

    An offense described in this section is punishable by a fine of not 
more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than five years, or both.

(d) Federal jurisdiction

    There is Federal jurisdiction over an offense under this section if 
the person committing the offense was an officer or employee of the 
United States at the time the offense was committed.

(Pub. L. 95-511, title I, Sec. 109, Oct. 25, 1978, 92 Stat. 1796.)

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in section 1810 of this title.
