Section 1524.2 Of Chapter 3. Of Search Warrants From California Penal Code >> Title 12. >> Part 2. >> Chapter 3.
1524.2
. (a) As used in this section, the following terms have the
following meanings:
(1) The terms "electronic communication services" and "remote
computing services" shall be construed in accordance with the
Electronic Communications Privacy Act in Chapter 121 (commencing with
Section 2701) of Part I of Title 18 of the United State Code
Annotated. This section shall not apply to corporations that do not
provide those services to the general public.
(2) An "adverse result" occurs when notification of the existence
of a search warrant results in:
(A) Danger to the life or physical safety of an individual.
(B) A flight from prosecution.
(C) The destruction of or tampering with evidence.
(D) The intimidation of potential witnesses.
(E) Serious jeopardy to an investigation or undue delay of a
trial.
(3) "Applicant" refers to the peace officer to whom a search
warrant is issued pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 1528.
(4) "California corporation" refers to any corporation or other
entity that is subject to Section 102 of the Corporations Code,
excluding foreign corporations.
(5) "Foreign corporation" refers to any corporation that is
qualified to do business in this state pursuant to Section 2105 of
the Corporations Code.
(6) "Properly served" means that a search warrant has been
delivered by hand, or in a manner reasonably allowing for proof of
delivery if delivered by United States mail, overnight delivery
service, or facsimile to a person or entity listed in Section 2110 of
the Corporations Code, or any other means specified by the recipient
of the search warrant, including email or submission via an Internet
web portal that the recipient has designated for the purpose of
service of process.
(b) The following provisions shall apply to any search warrant
issued pursuant to this chapter allowing a search for records that
are in the actual or constructive possession of a foreign corporation
that provides electronic communication services or remote computing
services to the general public, where those records would reveal the
identity of the customers using those services, data stored by, or on
behalf of, the customer, the customer's usage of those services, the
recipient or destination of communications sent to or from those
customers, or the content of those communications.
(1) When properly served with a search warrant issued by the
California court, a foreign corporation subject to this section shall
provide to the applicant, all records sought pursuant to that
warrant within five business days of receipt, including those records
maintained or located outside this state.
(2) Where the applicant makes a showing and the magistrate finds
that failure to produce records within less than five business days
would cause an adverse result, the warrant may require production of
records within less than five business days. A court may reasonably
extend the time required for production of the records upon finding
that the foreign corporation has shown good cause for that extension
and that an extension of time would not cause an adverse result.
(3) A foreign corporation seeking to quash the warrant must seek
relief from the court that issued the warrant within the time
required for production of records pursuant to this section. The
issuing court shall hear and decide that motion no later than five
court days after the motion is filed.
(4) The foreign corporation shall verify the authenticity of
records that it produces by providing an affidavit that complies with
the requirements set forth in Section 1561 of the Evidence Code.
Those records shall be admissible in evidence as set forth in Section
1562 of the Evidence Code.
(c) A California corporation that provides electronic
communication services or remote computing services to the general
public, when served with a warrant issued by another state to produce
records that would reveal the identity of the customers using those
services, data stored by, or on behalf of, the customer, the customer'
s usage of those services, the recipient or destination of
communications sent to or from those customers, or the content of
those communications, shall produce those records as if that warrant
had been issued by a California court.
(d) No cause of action shall lie against any foreign or California
corporation subject to this section, its officers, employees,
agents, or other specified persons for providing records,
information, facilities, or assistance in accordance with the terms
of a warrant issued pursuant to this chapter.