Title 18Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-73not60

§3117 Mobile Tracking Devices

Title 18 › Part II— CRIMINAL PROCEDURE › Chapter 205— SEARCHES AND SEIZURES › § 3117

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

A court can order a mobile tracking device to be installed and used inside the court’s area, and it can allow use outside that area if the device was put there. Tracking device = a gadget that follows a person’s or thing’s movement.

Full Legal Text

Title 18, §3117

Crimes and Criminal Procedure — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)If a court is empowered to issue a warrant or other order for the installation of a mobile tracking device, such order may authorize the use of that device within the jurisdiction of the court, and outside that jurisdiction if the device is installed in that jurisdiction.
(b)As used in this section, the term “tracking device” means an electronic or mechanical device which permits the tracking of the movement of a person or object.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Codification Another section 3117 was renumbered section 3118 of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective 90 days after Oct. 21, 1986, and, in case of conduct pursuant to court order or extension, applicable only with respect to court orders and extensions made after such date, with special rule for State authorizations of interceptions, see section 111 of Pub. L. 99–508, set out as an

Effective Date

of 1986 Amendment note under section 2510 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

18 U.S.C. § 3117

Title 18Crimes and Criminal Procedure

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60