Pennsylvania § 5720 - Service of copy of order and application before disclosure of intercepted communication in trial, hearing or proceeding.

Full text of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 5720 — Service of copy of order and application before disclosure of intercepted communication in trial, hearing or proceeding., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 5720. Service of copy of order and application before disclosure of intercepted communication in trial, hearing or proceeding.

The contents of any wire, electronic or oral communication intercepted in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter, or evidence derived therefrom, shall not be disclosed in any trial, hearing, or other adversary proceeding before any court of the Commonwealth unless, not less than ten days before the trial, hearing or proceeding the parties to the action have been served with a copy of the order, the accompanying application and the final report under which the interception was authorized or, in the case of an interception under section 5704 (relating to exceptions to prohibition of interception and disclosure of communications), notice of the fact and nature of the interception. The service of inventory, order, application, and final report required by this section may be waived by the court only where it finds that the service is not feasible and that the parties will not be prejudiced by the failure to make the service.

(Oct. 21, 1988, P.L.1000, No.115, eff. imd.; Feb. 18, 1998, P.L.102, No.19, eff. imd.)

Suspension by Court Rule. Section 5720 was suspended by Pennsylvania Rule of Juvenile Court Procedure No. 800(14), amended February 12, 2010, insofar as it is inconsistent with Rule 340(B)(6) relating to pre-adjudicatory discovery and inspection.

Section 5720 was suspended by Pennsylvania Rule of Criminal Procedure No. 1101(5), adopted March 1, 2000, insofar as it is inconsistent with Rule No. 573 only insofar as section 5720 may delay disclosure to a defendant seeking discovery under Rule No. 573(B)(1)(g).

Source: official Pennsylvania text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Pennsylvania § 5720

What does Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 5720 cover?

Section 5720 ("Service of copy of order and application before disclosure of intercepted communication in trial, hearing or proceeding.") is part of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, the codified statutory law of Pennsylvania. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Pennsylvania § 5720?

A common citation format is "Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 5720" (Pennsylvania). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Pennsylvania law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Pennsylvania official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Pennsylvania attorney.

How does Pennsylvania § 5720 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania.