Under Title III, the underlying crime must be listed in which section?

Under Title III, the underlying crime must be listed in which section?

• A. 18 USC 2516
• B. 18 USC 2510
• C. 18 USC 2515
• D. 18 USC 2520

Answer: (A)

For a Title III wiretap, the basis for intercept must come from offenses that are specifically allowed by the statute. The underlying crime has to be listed in 18 U.S.C. § 2516 because this section enumerates the offenses for which electronic surveillance may be authorized and who may apply. This creates a narrow, controlled set of offenses that can justify a wiretap, preventing broad or unfocused surveillance. Other parts of Title III serve different roles—18 U.S.C. § 2510 defines terms, § 2515 addresses unauthorized interception and disclosure, and § 2520 covers civil remedies—so they do not provide the list of permissible underlying offenses.

For a Title III wiretap, the basis for intercept must come from offenses that are specifically allowed by the statute. The underlying crime has to be listed in 18 U.S.C. § 2516 because this section enumerates the offenses for which electronic surveillance may be authorized and who may apply. This creates a narrow, controlled set of offenses that can justify a wiretap, preventing broad or unfocused surveillance. Other parts of Title III serve different roles—18 U.S.C. § 2510 defines terms, § 2515 addresses unauthorized interception and disclosure, and § 2520 covers civil remedies—so they do not provide the list of permissible underlying offenses.