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Chapter 18A: Detection, Interception, and Use of Wire, Oral, and Electronic Communications

Texas Code of Criminal Procedure – 2026

All Sections Code of Criminal Procedure Overview ← Previous Chapter 18: Search Warrants Next → Chapter 18B: Installation and Use of Tracking Equipment; Access to Communications

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Chapter 1: General Provisions Chapter 2: General Duties of Officers Chapter 2A: Officers; Powers and Duties Chapter 2B: Law Enforcement Interactions with Public Chapter 3: Definitions Chapter 4: Courts and Criminal Jurisdiction Chapter 5: Family Violence Prevention Chapter 5A: Preventing, Investigating, and Prosecuting Family Violence Chapter 5B: Procedures for Certain Offenses Involving Illegal Entry Into This State Chapter 5C: Procedures for Real Property Theft and Fraud Chapter 6: Preventing Offenses by the Act of Magistrates and Other Officers; Education Concerning Consequences of Certain Offenses Chapter 7: Proceedings Before Magistrates to Prevent Offenses Chapter 7B: Protective Orders Chapter 7C: Prohibition on Recognition, Service, and Enforcement of Extreme Risk Protective Orders Chapter 8: Suppression of Riots and Other Disturbances Chapter 9: Offenses Injurious to Public Health Chapter 9A: Trade, Business, or Occupation Injurious to Public Health Chapter 11: Habeas Corpus Chapter 12: Limitation Chapter 13A: Venue Chapter 14: Arrest Without Warrant Chapter 15: Arrest Under Warrant Chapter 16: The Commitment or Discharge of the Accused Chapter 17: Bail Chapter 17A: Corporations and Associations Chapter 18: Search Warrants Chapter 18A: Detection, Interception, and Use of Wire, Oral, and Electronic Communications Chapter 18B: Installation and Use of Tracking Equipment; Access to Communications Chapter 19A: Grand Jury Organization Chapter 20A: Grand Jury Proceedings Chapter 21: Indictment and Information Chapter 22: Forfeiture of Bail Chapter 23: The Capias Chapter 24: Subpoena and Attachment Chapter 24A: Responding to Subpoenas and Certain Other Court Orders; Preserving Certain Information Chapter 25: Service of a Copy of the Indictment Chapter 26: Arraignment Chapter 27: The Pleading in Criminal Actions Chapter 28: Motions, Pleadings and Exceptions Chapter 29: Continuance Chapter 30: Disqualification of the Judge Chapter 31A: Change of Venue Chapter 32: Dismissing Prosecutions Chapter 32A: Speedy Trial Chapter 33: The Mode of Trial Chapter 34: Special Venire in Capital Cases Chapter 35: Formation of the Jury Chapter 36: The Trial Before the Jury Chapter 37: The Verdict Chapter 38: Evidence in Criminal Actions Chapter 39: Depositions and Discovery Chapter 40: New Trials Chapter 41: Arrest of Judgment Chapter 42: Judgment and Sentence Chapter 42A: Community Supervision Chapter 43: Execution of Judgment Chapter 44: Appeal and Writ of Error Chapter 45A: Justice and Municipal Courts Chapter 46: Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to Mental Illness and Intellectual Disability Chapter 46B: Incompetency to Stand Trial Chapter 46C: Insanity Defense Chapter 47: Disposition of Stolen Property Chapter 48: Pardon and Parole Chapter 49: Inquests Upon Dead Bodies Chapter 49A: Death Inquests Chapter 50: Fire Inquests Chapter 50A: Fire Inquests Chapter 51: Fugitives from Justice Chapter 52: Court of Inquiry Chapter 55A: Expunction of Criminal Records Chapter 56A: Rights of Crime Victims Chapter 56B: Crime Victims' Compensation Chapter 56C: Landowner Compensation for Property Damage Caused by Certain Criminal Activities Chapter 58: Confidentiality of Identifying Information and Medical Records of Certain Crime Victims Chapter 59: Forfeiture of Contraband Chapter 62: Sex Offender Registration Program Chapter 63: Missing Children and Missing Persons Chapter 64: Motion for Forensic Dna Testing Chapter 65: Terrorist Offender Registration Program Chapter 66: Criminal History Record System Chapter 67: Compilation of Information Pertaining to Combinations and Criminal Street Gangs Chapter 101: General Provisions Chapter 102: Costs, Fees, and Fines Paid by Defendants Chapter 103: Payment, Collection, and Recordkeeping Chapter 104: Certain Expenses Paid by State or County
Art. 18A.001 DEFINITIONS Art. 18A.002 NONAPPLICABILITY Art. 18A.051 JUDGE OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION Art. 18A.052 REQUEST FOR FILING OF INTERCEPTION APPLICATION Art. 18A.053 JURISDICTION Art. 18A.054 ALTERNATE JURISDICTION Art. 18A.055 APPLICATION FOR INTERCEPTION ORDER Art. 18A.101 OFFENSES FOR WHICH INTERCEPTION ORDER MAY BE ISSUED Art. 18A.102 JUDICIAL DETERMINATIONS REQUIRED FOR ISSUANCE OF INTERCEPTION ORDER Art. 18A.103 CONTENTS OF INTERCEPTION ORDER Art. 18A.104 LIMITATION ON COVERT ENTRY Art. 18A.105 AUTHORITY TO ISSUE CERTAIN ANCILLARY ORDERS Art. 18A.106 ORDER TO THIRD PARTY TO ASSIST WITH EXECUTION OF INTERCEPTION ORDER Art. 18A.107 DURATION OF INTERCEPTION ORDER Art. 18A.108 EXTENSION OF INTERCEPTION ORDER Art. 18A.109 REPORT ON NEED FOR CONTINUED INTERCEPTION Art. 18A.110 SUBSEQUENT CRIMINAL PROSECUTION RELATED TO INTERCEPTION ORDER Art. 18A.151 REQUIREMENTS REGARDING INTERCEPTION ORDER FOR COMMUNICATION BY SPECIFIED PERSON Art. 18A.152 IMPLEMENTATION OF INTERCEPTION ORDER Art. 18A.153 MOTION TO MODIFY OR QUASH INTERCEPTION ORDER Art. 18A.201 DEFINITIONS Art. 18A.202 POSSESSION AND USE OF INTERCEPTION DEVICE IN EMERGENCY SITUATION Art. 18A.203 CONSENT FOR EMERGENCY INTERCEPTION Art. 18A.204 WRITTEN ORDER AUTHORIZING INTERCEPTION Art. 18A.205 CERTAIN EVIDENCE NOT ADMISSIBLE Art. 18A.251 DEFINITION Art. 18A.252 USE OF INTERCEPTION DEVICE BY INSPECTOR GENERAL Art. 18A.253 REPORTING USE OF INTERCEPTION DEVICE Art. 18A.254 NO EXPECTATION OF PRIVACY Art. 18A.301 DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AUTHORIZED TO POSSESS AND USE INTERCEPTION DEVICE Art. 18A.302 TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AUTHORIZED TO POSSESS AND USE INTERCEPTION DEVICE Art. 18A.303 TEXAS JUVENILE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AUTHORIZED TO POSSESS AND USE INTERCEPTION DEVICE Art. 18A.351 DISCLOSURE OR USE OF INTERCEPTED COMMUNICATIONS Art. 18A.352 DISCLOSURE UNDER OATH Art. 18A.353 PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATIONS Art. 18A.354 DISCLOSURE OR USE OF INCIDENTALLY INTERCEPTED COMMUNICATIONS Art. 18A.355 NOTICE AND DISCLOSURE OF INTERCEPTION APPLICATION, INTERCEPTION ORDER, AND INTERCEPTED COMMUNICATIONS Art. 18A.356 NOTICE OF INTERCEPTION REQUIRED Art. 18A.357 COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED IN EVIDENCE Art. 18A.358 SUPPRESSION OF CONTENTS OF INTERCEPTED COMMUNICATIONS Art. 18A.401 SEALING OF APPLICATION OR ORDER Art. 18A.402 CUSTODY OF APPLICATIONS AND ORDERS Art. 18A.403 DISCLOSURE OF APPLICATION OR ORDER Art. 18A.404 DESTRUCTION OF APPLICATION OR ORDER Art. 18A.451 CREATION OF RECORDINGS Art. 18A.452 DUPLICATION OF RECORDINGS Art. 18A.453 SEALING AND CUSTODY OF RECORDINGS Art. 18A.454 DESTRUCTION OF RECORDINGS Art. 18A.455 PREREQUISITE FOR USE OR DISCLOSURE OF RECORDING IN CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS Art. 18A.501 CONTEMPT Art. 18A.502 RECOVERY OF CIVIL DAMAGES BY AGGRIEVED PERSON Art. 18A.503 ACTION BROUGHT BY FEDERAL OR STATE GOVERNMENT; INJUNCTION; PENALTIES Art. 18A.504 GOOD FAITH DEFENSE AVAILABLE Art. 18A.505 NO CAUSE OF ACTION Art. 18A.551 REPORT OF INTERCEPTED COMMUNICATIONS BY JUDGE Art. 18A.552 REPORT OF INTERCEPTED COMMUNICATIONS BY PROSECUTOR Art. 18A.553 REPORT OF INTERCEPTED COMMUNICATIONS BY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY